CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

National Museums and Galleries

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public funding has been allocated to each of the national museums and galleries to facilitate the introduction of free admission where this does not already apply (a) in the current year, (b) in 2002–03 and (c) in 2003–04.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 9 July 2001
	The amount of public funding allocated to each national museum and gallery to facilitate free admission is listed in the following table:
	
		£ million 
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 National Museum of Science and Industry(1) 3.2 6.5 6.6 
			 Natural History Museum 3.4 6.7 6.8 
			 Victoria and Albert Museum 1.1 2.6 2.7 
			 National Maritime Museum 1.7 2.7 2.8 
			 Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester 0.4 0.7 0.8 
			 Museum of London 0.4 1.1 1.2 
			 National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside 1.4 1.9 2.4 
			 Royal Armouries 0.4 0.8 0.9 
			 Imperial War Museum 1.5 4.5 4.6 
			 Tate St. Ives 0.2 0.5 0.5 
			  
			 Totals 13.7 28.0 29.3 
		
	
	(1) Including the National Coal Mining Museum for England

Tourism

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to make further funds available for the marketing of Britain as a tourist destination.

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional funding for marketing she expects to provide to the British Tourist Authority in response to the foot and mouth disease crisis.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	As in other sectors of the economy, businesses themselves take the lead in marketing their services to overseas markets. We as a Government back those efforts only where they need special co-ordination. In this case the Government have pledged additional funding of £14.2 million, supplemented by £2.1 million re-deployed by the British Tourist Authority from existing plans. This provides in full what was sought by the British Tourist Authority, after full consultation with the industry, for the whole of 2001.

Tourism

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the European Investment Bank regarding assistance for tourism businesses affected by foot and mouth disease.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	I have had no discussions with the European Investment Bank. However, Government Ministers have discussed the problems of business affected by the outbreak with the British Bankers Association. The association has undertaken to help businesses by providing extra lending, deferring repayments, waiving arrangement fees and providing information and advice.

Tourism

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she was first informed about deduction of VAT from the money paid to the British Tourist Authority as part of the tourism recovery plan; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 13 July 2001
	The British Tourist Authority brought to my Department's attention on 24 May that, under their long-standing agreement with Customs and Excise, VAT would need to be payable for goods and services paid for with the additional funds allocated for the authority's recovery plan. We are assessing the implications of this with BTA, and the recovery plan is going ahead as planned.

Tourism

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals she has to encourage domestic tourism in England.

Kim Howells: holding answer 16 July 2001
	Building on "Tomorrow's Tourism", the sound strategy for tourism that we developed in our previous term of office, we will also consider giving greater emphasis to three areas: (a) changing the perception of the industry as an employer through further Government-industry partnerships; (b) continuing to drive for better and less regulation so that the industry can concentrate on growth and increasing our international competitiveness; and (c) examining whether the marketing of Britain as a tourism destination could be more efficiently co-ordinated.
	The recent foot and mouth disease outbreak has highlighted the importance of tourism to the domestic economy and we will do what we can to ensure a speedy and sustained recovery. In addition to taking forward strategy, experience so far has shown that we clearly need better and more up-to-date statistics and economic data for the sector and we will need to work with the industry to that end.

British Museum

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many British Museum staff have been made redundant, dismissed, or taken early retirement over the past 12 months; at what costs; and with what period of notice in each case.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 25 June 2001
	During the 12 months from 1 June 2000:
	a) There were no redundancies.
	b) One member of staff was dismissed on 5 October 2000. He was given five weeks' notice, but did not work the notice period. The total cost for five weeks' salary was £2,227.
	c) Six staff were retired early and two members of staff took voluntary early retirement. The costs were met from the Principal Civil Service Pension Fund, not from the Museum's budget.
	d) The total cost of payments made by the British Museum during the period to staff who had been given notice before 1 June 2000, including out of court settlements, is £368,021.

BBC

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received about (a) the BBC's application for new children's channels and (b) network digital radio channels.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a range of representations on all the BBC's proposals for new digital television and radio services including the children's channels and network digital radio channels, both supporting and opposing the application. Those who have commented include broadcasters, production companies, regulatory bodies, platform providers, and organisations representing listeners and viewers.

BBC

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she monitors the actions of the BBC in providing a distinctive schedule of benchmark quality programmes on all its services.

Kim Howells: This is a matter for the BBC Board of Governors, who review and publish their objectives in the BBC Annual Report.

Drug Testing

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who represented her Department at the meeting of the first international drug testing seminar on Wednesday 4 July; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Only 4 July, the Medicines Control Agency held a public seminar on the issue of sports supplements. The Director of the Anti-Doping Unit at UK Sport, and the Chair of the Nandrolone Review Group, which was set up by UK Sport, both attended that seminar. UK Sport is the non-departmental public body funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport with responsibility for the drug testing programme in the UK.
	The Nandrolone Review committee reported in January 2000 and gave a strong warning to sport about the potential dangers of using supplements which may be incorrectly or inadequately labelled. Since then, considerable research has been undertaken on supplements, both in the UK and abroad, to see whether they can be responsible for producing adverse findings among athletes. Doping remains a strict liability offence in sport in order to protect athletes from those who do seek to cheat by misusing drugs. This means that athletes must be confident that what they are putting into their bodies will not lead to an adverse finding. The Nandrolone Review Group will be considering research findings in further depth and are due to produce a follow up report shortly.

Drug Testing

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many full-time equivalent staff have been employed to test for drug usage per sport in Britain in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: Drug testing arrangements are organised on a UK rather than British basis to provide a consistent standard across all UK sportsmen and women subject to this type of testing. UK Sport is currently the agency with responsibility for the drug testing policy and programme and they employ 12 staff to oversee the testing operation, policy, education, information, research and international advocacy roles. UK Sport also contracts a team of 85 independent sampling officers to carry out sampling. This figure will rise and fall depending on need. For example, it will increase when international competitions are held in the UK, as next year when we host the Commonwealth Games.
	Prior to the reorganisation of the GB Sports Council in UK Sport in 1997, five full-time officers, and a considerable number of part-time independent sampling officers were employed in the fight against doping in sport. It is also the case that a number of governing bodies of sport employ staff, on a full, or part-time or voluntary basis in the anti-doping field. To calculate the number of staff on a per sport basis would be extremely difficult as there are currently no centrally held statistics which would accurately reflect the individual arrangements of all governing bodies. Also, calculation on a per sport basis would not provide an accurate reflection of the complexity of anti-doping procedures in the UK.

Drug Testing

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many drugs tests were conducted per sport (a) in Britain and (b) outside Britain on British sportspeople in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: Drug testing arrangements are organised on a UK rather than British basis to provide a consistent standard across all UK sportsmen and women subject to this type of testing. UK Sport is currently the agency with responsibility for the drug testing policy and programme. The complexities of the drug testing programme are such that it is not possible to break down figures in the way which my hon. Friend has requested. For example, footballers playing in the football league in England and Wales might not be British but may be subject to testing as they are participating in a domestic competition. Also, UK Sport does not have records of all UK athletes tested overseas unless they have commissioned the testing themselves. Where UK athletes are tested overseas at the request of the International Federation or as part of the host nation's testing programme, this information is relayed to individual governing bodies, not to the national anti-doping organisation of the athlete.
	A summary of the UK drugs testing programme for each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Total number of samples Number of findings 
		
		
			 1995–96 4,327 89 
			 1996–97 4,469 90 
			 1997–98 4,574 79 
			 1998–99 5,147 76 
			 1999–2000 6,141 119 
		
	
	A full breakdown by sport is available in UK Sport's Anti-Doping Programme Annual Reports. I will arrange for copies of these for each of the past five years to be placed in both Libraries of the House, and for copies to be sent to my hon. Friend directly.

Formula One

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the motor racing industry about the future of Formula One racing facilities; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 13 July 2001
	My right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has met representatives of the industry.

Digital Radio

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to encourage the introduction of commercial digital radio.

Kim Howells: holding answer 13 July 2001
	The Broadcasting Act 1996 established a framework of legislation which has encouraged the take up of digital radio. There are currently two national radio digital multiplexes and 28 local digital radio multiplexes with more to come. These are already carrying 135 stations (including 50 broadcasting simulcast on an analogue licence). In London there are currently 17 stations broadcasting, with a further 11 more to come by the end of the year.
	We expect to conduct a review of progress made in digital radio in 2003, by which time we shall have a much clearer idea of where digital radio development is placed.
	I welcome industry plans to produce cheaper digital radio sets.

Voluntary Sports Clubs

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what measures her Department is taking to encourage the work of voluntary sports clubs;
	(2)  what recent representations she has received on taxation of voluntary sports clubs; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Since my appointment, the Department has received a number of representations concerning the current taxation treatment of voluntary sports clubs. Following the announcement from my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget of plans to consult on the best way for tax relief to help community amateur sports clubs, I am now working closely with Treasury colleagues and the sports organisations, including Sport England, The Central Council for Physical Recreation and The National Playing Fields Association, on the shape of a possible relief. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will publish a consultation paper later this year which will invite comments on the proposed relief and I have asked that copies be forwarded on to all those who have previously written to the Department on this issue.

Millennium Dome

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the total amount spent on the dome by the Millennium Commission and NMEC Ltd. since 31 December 2000; and what is the estimated total for the end of the current financial year.

Kim Howells: holding answer 16 July 2001
	There has been no direct spend by the Millennium Commission on the Millennium Dome since 31 December 2000. Grant is made to the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) who have incurred a spend of around £7.5 million for the period of 1 January to 30 June 2001. This sum falls within the £628 million allocated by the Millennium Commission.
	Responsibility for the dome passed to English Partnerships on 1 July 2001.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by her Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by her Department.

Tessa Jowell: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's predecessor, the Department for National Heritage, was established in April 1992 so information can be provided only from that date. My Department has let only one information technology contract in excess of £500,000. This is the ongoing contract for outsourced IT support and services let to Sema, now SchlumbergerSema, in May 1993 which is worth about £1 million per annum.

Gambling Review Body

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will publish the report of the Gambling Review Body.

Tessa Jowell: I am today laying copies of the report before Parliament. It is being published as a Command Paper, and the full text will be available on my Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk).
	I am very grateful to Sir Alan Budd and his fellow members of the Review Body for their work. They have done a fine job. They were given a wide and challenging remit: to modernise the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, taking account of all relevant factors, including its social impact. Their report, based on extensive evidence and research, provides a thorough analysis of the issues and a coherent package of proposals. We are all in their debt.
	All around the world legislators have grappled with the problem of how best to regulate gambling. There is no single solution which is right for all times and for all places. Gambling itself is continually evolving. Our present gambling laws were, for example, enacted before the internet was created and they make no provision for its use as a gambling medium. Regulation equally needs to take account of changing social circumstances and public expectations. There is no doubt that our current laws, as well as being too complex and out of date, fail to reflect the extent to which gambling has become an everyday part of the way in which millions of people choose to spend their leisure.
	The Gambling Review Body has identified a number of proposals which would lift regulatory constraints which may no longer be justified. At the same time there are proposals which would provide additional safeguards which the Review Body sees as needed to achieve the overall policy aims of protecting children and the vulnerable, ensuring fairness to the punter and keeping crime out of gambling. The report accordingly recommends a new balance of regulation in the public interest. It is also clear from the report that we are looking at the scope for improving a system with many strengths: through its own and its regulators' efforts British gambling is among the world leaders.
	We now plan to discuss with interested bodies the issues which implementation of the Review Body's recommendations would raise. We shall also welcome comments from members of the public and all sources: these should be sent to my Department by the end of October. I shall want to take these consultation and comments into account before reaching final decisions on the way ahead. I shall also want to consider carefully the potential impact of the Review Body's proposals on the National Lottery before deciding how to proceed.
	In the meantime there is no reason to halt all work on changes which are consistent with the Review Body's conclusions and which can be taken forward without cutting across future legislation. We shall, for example, continue to work on plans to sell the Tote to racing and to end the horserace betting levy; and there are also regulatory reform proposals which are already subject to public consultation or parliamentary scrutiny. We need to consider them again in the light of the Review Body's work, but where progress can sensibly be made which will bring early benefits to the public and the industry alike, it should be made.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Departmental Contracts

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the contracts awarded to W. S. Atkins, Buro-Happold and Kvaerner by his Department and its predecessor, agencies and non-departmental public bodies from May 1999 to the latest date for which information is available.

Alan Whitehead: Details of contracts awarded to W. S. Atkins, Buro-Happold, and Kvaerner by the former Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies from May 1999 to the current date are listed:
	1999–2000
	W. S. ATKINS
	DETR (C)
	IT support and ECommerce
	Advice on working environment issues
	Aspects of noise impacts
	Regional airspace co-ordination study
	Research management support
	Co-ordination of regional air services studies
	Assistance with investigation of drinking water quality incidents 1999–2000 and audit of water companies
	Feasibility report on relocation of Audit Commission
	A50 Stoke to Derby (PPP/PFI)
	A30/A35 Exeter to Bere Regis (PPP/PFI)
	Scientific research management support
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	Countryside Agency
	Planning support
	Review of recreation strategies
	Local heritage initiative marketing survey
	DSA
	IS strategy project management
	DVLA
	Training needs analysis
	Evaluation of project management
	Support for project assurance unit
	Environment Agency
	Engineering consultancy (feasibility design and supervision of flood defence work)
	Environmental consultancy and flood plain mapping and modelling
	Health and Safety Executive
	Safety Assessment of Carmarthen Bus Station
	Review of the applicability of Large Eddy Simulation Techniques to Safety Studies
	Effects of Secondary Containment on Source Term Modelling
	Updating and Support of Poolfire6
	Scientific Support—Explosives In Demolition
	Structural Risk Study
	Thermal Radiation Criteria for Vulnerable Populations
	Scientific Support—Crashworthniess Project
	Fire Risk Assessment for Workplaces Containing Flammable Substances
	Preparation of Maps for Use by NII
	Rovie Level Crossing Review
	Survey of Characteristics of People Working with Chemicals and the Companies They Work For
	ACE Model, Code Development
	Methodology for On-Site Ignition Probability
	System Reliability Updating Using Results from Underwater Joint Inspections
	Ladbroke Grove Accident Investigation
	Ladbroke Grove: Vehicle Storage Costs
	Presentation of Information on Momentum Releases
	Assessment of AGR Concrete Pressure Vessel Behaviour in Loss of Cooling Fault Conditions
	Dense Gas Dispersion Studies Using the MLFP Method with HSE Software
	IRR 99 Training
	Assessment of Railtrack's response to two Improvement Notices issued as a result of a accident at Ladbroke Grove on 5 October 1999
	OFGEM's inquiry to HSE dated 12 October 1999
	Investigation of a Gas Explosion at lark Hall, Hamilton
	Topographical Survey at Lark Hall, Hamilton
	Risk and Safety Implications—Geotechnical Characterisation and Analysis
	Nuclear Reactors (Environmental impact assessment for decomissioning) Regulations 1999 (EIAD) 1999
	Highways Agency
	Area 18 Design Commission
	M25 CCTV Enhancement (Areas 3/4/5)
	A23 Coulsdon Relief Road Employers Agent
	R and D Advisory Service 99/02 for Pavement Engineering Group
	Specialist Traffic Transportation and Economic Advice
	NAD Execution of Steel Structures—Bridges
	Managing Integration
	Trial Application and Sample Survey in Respect of Draft Fatigue Assessment Requirements
	Abnormal Indivisible Loads Notification—System Trial
	Management of NMCS2 Specification
	Framework Agreement Research Service Contract—Pavement Engineering
	Review of Highway Drainage Maintenance Practice—Phase 2
	South East England Development Agency
	Heat and power study
	BURO-HAPPOLD
	DETR (C)
	Constructing a prototype cardboard building
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	English Partnerships
	Multi modal interchange
	South East England Development Agency
	Framework study
	KVAERNER
	DETR(C)
	Dartford river crossing (PPP/PFI)
	Birmingham northern relief road (PPP/PFI)
	M1-A1 link road (PPP/PFI)
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	Highways Agency
	Yorkshire Driver Information System
	2000–01
	W. S. ATKINS
	DETR (C)
	Additional aspects of noise impacts
	Health and Safety
	Assistance with investigation of drinking water quality incidents 2000–01 and audit of water companies
	Review of drinking water quality aspects of serviceability relating to infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets
	Groundwater protection code for petrol stations
	Responding to water consultation documents
	Environmental impact of metals—review of nickel in the UK
	GMOs for the bioremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants
	Provision of scientific and technical advice
	Technical support standards and assessment Branch of the Air and Environmental Quality Division
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	Countryside Agency
	Chilterns integrated access research contract
	Health and Safety Executive
	Rough Weather Rescue
	Gas Releases from Buildings—Enhancement to GRAB-T
	Source Terms Modelling of Releases Within Building Complexes
	Specialist Support to Risk Assessment and Probablistic Aspects of Ind. Intro of Probablistic Structural
	Reliability Based Land Pipeline Design
	Peer Review of MSDU Land Use Planning Methodology
	Specification for a Study into Sources of Variability and Uncertainty in Probablistic Safety Assessments
	Graphics of Larkhall Explosion Site
	Fire Compartmentation in Chemical Warehouses
	New Information Leaflet—Asbestos Based Gasket Alternatives
	Software (PAN) Support
	Inspection of Waulkmill Reservoir
	Comparisons of Safety Levels Implicit in Structural Codes
	Carmarthen Bus Station—Appeal against Improvement Notice
	Decommissioning and removal of the concrete gravity structures in the UKCS
	Specification to Study Performance Indicators for Use in Nuclear Facilities
	PIPIN Revision to Provide NT4 Compatibility and Additional Datasets
	Provision of Maps with LUP Zones
	Review of Railtracks Maintenance Strategy for the Forth Bridge
	International Common Cause Failure Data Exchange
	Development of Methodology to Assess Pipeline Safety Cases
	Accident Investigation, Linfield Street, Dundee Gas Explosion
	Phase 2, Accident Investigation, Linfield Street, Dundee Gas Explosion
	Development of the ACDC Database
	Level 3 Guidance Update
	General Management of the Technical Support Framework Agreement
	Ad Hoc Support
	Assessing Investigations into Signals Passed at Danger (SPADS)
	Research on the effect of HSE campaigns and their effects on rooflights and nets
	Advanced Fluid Loading Models
	Assessment of Railtracks's response to two improvement notices
	Conference on Risk in Civil Engineering
	PCPV Structural Integrity: Prolonged Natural Circulation/Loss of PVCS Fault Condition: Phase 1
	HSE intranet database for Offshore Division HF support
	Performance Indicators for Fixed Structures
	Characteristics of extended survival in the North Sea
	Fall of Stanchion A10, Project Arrow
	Highways Agency
	Area 16 Design Commission
	M62 New Junction 8 and J8–9 Widening
	A47 Thorney Bypass
	Framework Agreement for Structural Bearings Advice
	Framework Agreement Advice on Steel and Composite Bridges
	Framework Agreement for SLVR Consultancy
	Environment Research and Development Framework Arrangements
	Tactical Traffic Control—Alternative Vehicle Detectors (for Elevated Motorways and 5/6 Lane Motorways)
	Health and Safety Assessment of HA's offices
	Scheme Forecast Monitoring/Post Implementation Evaluation
	Consultancy Framework for TSE 2000–03
	Implementation of Eurocodes
	Foresight Vehicle Probe-IT (collaboration agreement)
	BURO-HAPPOLD
	DETR (C)
	Facilitating the benefits of technological innovation
	Capturing how to construct a timber gridshell safely
	Capture and analysis if vibration data from an unfinished laboratory floor
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	South East England Development Agency
	Eastbridge master plan
	KVAERNER
	DETR (C)
	Nil
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	Highways Agency
	M1/M45 Northamptonshire Control Office Area NMCS (Design and Build)
	2001-to date
	W. S. ATKINS
	DETR (C)
	Nil
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	Health and Safety Executive
	Sources of Variability and Uncertainty in Nuclear Reactor PSAs
	Assistance with NSD Emergency Arrangements
	Forth Bridge TG2
	Case-by-case support on Nuclear Reactors (Env. Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regs 1999
	Assessment of layout of Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow
	International Common Cause Failure Data Exchange
	Assessment of railway industry SPAD investigations
	Tay wastewater project: assessment of ground conditions
	Expert Report on the security of temporary traffic signs and sign frames
	ACE Model Development
	Highways Agency
	Maintaining Agency Contracts: Area 6 (Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk)
	BURO-HAPPOLD
	DETR (C)
	Nil
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	South East England Development Agency
	Boiler shop disposals
	Sector works
	KVAERNER
	DETR (C)
	Nil
	Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies
	Nil.

Lorries

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the impounding of trucks running without O licences will be implemented by the Vehicle Inspectorate.

John Spellar: The Transport Act 2000 gave the Government powers to make regulations which would enable the Vehicle Inspectorate to detain the vehicles of unlicensed goods vehicle operators. I intend to lay these regulations before this House shortly. Subject to the approval of the House, we aim to bring the regulations into effect in October 2001.

Lorries

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to introduce HGV lanes on strategic routes; and at what locations he has trialed such schemes. [R]

David Jamieson: We have not yet identified any locations on the strategic network where designated lanes would improve the flow of traffic for HGVs.

Air Traffic Control

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what mechanism will be used to allocate the 5 per cent. stake in NATS to staff under the Government's proposals for the part-privatisation of the National Air Traffic Service.

David Jamieson: The Government, in conjunction with the Airline Group and NATS staff representatives are working together on the precise detail of the employee share scheme. In broad terms, the shares will be allocated via an Employee Share Ownership Plan, to be approved by the Inland Revenue, which will be administered by a new subsidiary of NATS called NATS Employee Sharetrust Limited. The directors of this new company will be appointed by the Government, the Airline Group and the NATS trade unions. A fundamental principle of the scheme will be that all employees, regardless of grade or length of service will have the same entitlement to shares from this scheme.

Air Traffic Control

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials have held in the last month with representatives of the airline consortium which is purchasing NATS.

David Jamieson: Ministers held a number of meetings with bidders for the National Air Traffic Services public-private partnership, including the Airline Group, as part of the bidding process. No meetings between Ministers and the Airline Group have taken place since the preferred bidder was selected.
	Officials meet regularly with representatives of the Airline Group as part of the preparations for putting the PPP in place.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he last travelled on the London Underground in the course of his official duties.

David Jamieson: Ministers travel by public transport on a regular basis in the course of their official duties and under the Ministerial Code are required to always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
	Since being appointed as a Minister for the Department, I have used the London Underground on several occasions in connection with my duties.

Ministerial Travel

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what directions he has given to London Underground Limited and London Transport regarding future arrangements for the London Underground; what decisions by those organisations have been taken following discussions with Government representatives which complied with agreements reached at those discussions; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Byers: No directions have been given to either London Underground or London Transport regarding future arrangements for the Underground.
	I have today written to Mr. Kiley, informing him that his appointment as chairman and member of London Regional Transport is terminated forthwith.
	Mr. Kiley was appointed chairman of London Regional Transport on 8 May to lead negotiations on contracts for the modernisation of London Underground. On 29 June, he wrote to the Prime Minister reporting that he had been unable to reach agreement with the bidders which met his objectives and the key criteria for modernising the Tube. In the light of Mr. Kiley's inability to reach an agreement with the bidders, the Government asked London Underground to proceed with their plans for improving and updating the Tube's infrastructure within parameters acceptable to them and the bidders.
	When the Government decided on 5 July that London Underground should be invited to press ahead with their plans for investment in a publicly-run, privately-built Tube, we hoped that Mr. Kiley would continue to be able to play a fully co-operative role. This has not been the case. Mr. Kiley has tried to use his board position to block negotiations with the bidders. He has, without authority from the board, issued instructions to senior management to halt those negotiations.
	I have today received a letter signed on behalf of a majority of the London Transport Board saying they cannot work with Mr. Kiley and thus it is impossible for the London Transport Board to function effectively. I have therefore decided to end Mr. Kiley's appointment as chairman and as a board member and to re-appoint Sir Malcolm Bates as chairman of the London Transport Board.

Integrated Transport

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards better integration between railway stations and (a) cars, (b) buses, (c) taxis and (d) bicycles.

David Jamieson: The Government are committed to delivering long-term improvements for the travelling public, and recognise that an important aspect of doing so is to ensure better integration between modes of transport.
	We have seen a number of new and improved rail interchanges opened since 1997 including—Warwick Parkway, Clitheroe Interchange, Canning Town Transport Interchange, North Greenwich Station, Stratford Regional Station, Feltham Gateway and Tottenham Hale Station. There is also a new London Underground Interchange at Canada Water and a number of new bus interchanges, notably St. Paul's Bus Station, Walsall.
	The Safe Routes to Stations project, on which the Department is collaborating with Sustrans, Railtrack and other bodies, is progressing well. It will open up new opportunities for people to access rail and bus stations by bicycle and on foot, and demonstrate the advantages of combining public transport with cycling and walking. Work has already been carried out at a number of locations around the country, including Peterborough, Norwich, Tiverton Parkway, March in Cambridgeshire, Temple Meads in Bristol, Waterloo in London and a cycle/pedestrian access bridge linking Bodmin with Bodmin Parkway station.
	Last December we gave full or provisional approval to three major local transport schemes, the Allerton Interchange in Merseyside, and the Outer Circle bus showcase and Wolverhampton Centre Access in the West Midlands, which each include better interchanges between rail and public transport.
	Authorities have also included a range of smaller-scale interchange improvements in their local transport plans. The exact choice of measures will be for authorities to determine, but we will be monitoring closely the implementation of local transport plans—including progress on interchange facilities—through an annual progress report system. The first reports are due to be submitted by local authorities at the end of August 2001.
	We expect to see further progress towards integration between modes as a result of the increased investment under the 10-Year Plan.

Rail Freight

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to upgrade rail freight routes to major ports.

David Jamieson: The amount of freight moved by rail has grown steadily over the period of this Government. Our 10-Year Plan for transport reinforces our commitment to ensure that that growth continues.
	We have established the Strategic Rail Authority to implement detailed plans for rail freight. The SRA published its Freight Strategy in May. This includes plans for delivering a major programme of improvements to rail links to major ports.

Rail Freight

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential for switching imports of fruit and vegetables from road to rail; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The import of fruit and vegetables represents a significant opportunity for rail. The SRA's Freight Strategy, published in May, discusses a number of actions aimed at realising the potential of this market and at facilitating the establishment of sustainable international services through the Channel Tunnel.

Park-and-ride Schemes

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made in the last 12 months with introducing park- and-ride schemes in towns.

Sally Keeble: Last December as part of the Local Transport Capital settlement for 2001–02 we gave full or provisional approval to a number of major local transport schemes, including the Allerton Interchange in Merseyside, Somerset's North West Taunton Package, Plymouth's Northern Corridor improvement, South Bradford's and Salisbury's integrated transport packages, each of which contains park-and-ride as an element of the proposals.
	Authorities have also included a wide range of smaller-scale measures in their local transport plans (LTPs), including park-and-ride schemes. The exact choice of measures will be for authorities to determine, but the capital settlement should enable authorities to start work on as many as 120 new and extended park-and-ride facilities over the five-year LTP period. We will be monitoring closely the implementation of LTPs—including park-and-ride schemes—through an annual progress report system. The first reports are due to be submitted at the end of August 2001.

Roads

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of the trunk road network has been given a lower noise surface in the past 12 months; and when he intends that (a) 10 per cent., (b) 25 per cent., (c) 50 per cent. and (d) 60 per cent. of the trunk road network will have received such a service.

David Jamieson: Over 3 per cent. of the network received a lower noise surface during the last year. A target has been set in Transport 2010, the 10-year Plan, for 60 per cent. of the trunk road network to have lower noise surfacing by March 2011, including all concrete surfaces. A detailed 10 year programme is not available, but approximately 6 per cent. of the network is expected to be treated annually. On this basis 10 per cent. would be achieved by 2002, 25 per cent. by 2005, 50 per cent. by 2009 and 60 per cent. by 2011.

Roads

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list each of the roads in the Highways Agency Targeted Programme of Improvements indicating in each case (a) when work is likely to commence and (b) when the road is likely to be opened. [R]

David Jamieson: Contracts have been let and in most cases work has begun on the following 14 schemes in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) to the trunk road network. The planned completion date is as shown:
	
		
			  Planned completion 
		
		
			 A1 Willburn-Denwick Improvement Winter 2002 
			 A6 Clapham Bypass Spring 2003 
			 A6 Great Glen Bypass Winter 2002 
			 A11 Roundham Heath-Attleborough Dualling Spring 2003 
			 A27 Polegate Bypass Summer 2002 
			 A41 Aston Clinton Bypass Summer 2003 
			 A43 Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement Summer 2002 
			 A43 Silverstone Bypass Summer 2002 
			 A43 M40-B4031 Dualling Summer 2002 
			 A63 Selby Bypass Winter 2003 
			 A66 Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass Winter 2002 
			 A500 Basford, Hough, Shavington Bypass Summer 2003 
			 A650 Bingley Relief Road Winter 2003 
			 A1033 Hedon Road Improvement, Hull Summer 2003 
		
	
	The following contracts are still to be let in the years stated. The precise timing of the start of work will be a matter for the contractor:
	2001–02
	A5 Nesscliffe Bypass
	A6 Rothwell-Desborough Bypass
	A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass
	A10 Wadesmill-Colliers End Bypass
	A21 Lamberhurst Bypass
	A46 Newmark-Lincoln Improvement
	A120 Stansted Braintree
	2002–03
	A6 Alvaston
	M25 J 12–15 Widening
	A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor
	A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford
	2003–04
	A249 Iwade-Queensborough Improvement
	M60 J 5–8 (formerly M63 J6–9 Widening).
	Start dates for construction of the remaining schemes in the TPI cannot yet be set as they are still subject to the completion of the remaining statutory procedures. Those schemes are:
	A2 Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 1
	A2 Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 2
	A11 Fiveways to Thetford Improvement
	A11 Attleborough Bypass Improvement
	A34 Chieveley/M4 J13 Improvement
	A2 A2/A282 Dartford Improvement
	A5 Weeford-Fazeley Improvement
	A14 Rookery Crossroads Grade Separated Junction
	A47 Thorney Bypass
	A63 Melton Grade Separated Junction
	A74 Carlisle-Guardsmill upgrading to motorway
	A303 Stonehenge
	A421 Great Barford Bypass
	A500 City Road/Stoke Road.
	Eight schemes were added to the TPI on 28 March 2001. Two schemes, A3 Hindhead Improvement and A30 Bodmin—Indian Queens Improvement, are subject to statutory procedures. For the remaining six schemes the next stage is under review:
	M62 Junction 6 Improvement
	A1 Peterborough-Blyth Grade Separated Junctions
	A14 Haughley New Street—Stowmarket Improvement
	A38 Dobwalls Bypass
	A46 Newmark—Widmerpool Improvement
	A595 Parton—Lillyhall Improvement.

East Thames River Crossing

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to construct new East Thames river crossings for (a) road and (b) rail; and what the timetable for construction is in each case.

David Jamieson: None. Proposals for new East Thames river crossings are now a matter for the Mayor of London. The crossings are discussed in his Transport Strategy published on 10 July. Copies of the Strategy are available in the Library.

Multi-model Transport Studies

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to make a decision on the findings of the (a) West Midlands to North West, (b) North/South movements in East Midlands, (c) London to South West and South Wales, (d) London orbitals, (e) South East Manchester, (f) West Midlands areas, (g) Tyneside areas, (h) access to Hastings, (i) Cambridge to Huntingdon and (j) A453 M1-Nottingham multi-modal studies. [R]

David Jamieson: Each study is expected to report to the relevant Regional Planning Body as follows:
	
		
			  Multi-modal study Date expected to report 
		
		
			 (a) West Midlands to North West Autumn 2001 
			 (b) North/South Movements in East Midlands Early 2002 
			 (c) London to South West and South Wales April 2002 
			 (d) London Orbital April 2002 
			 (e) South East Manchester September 2001 
			 (f) West Midlands Area September 2001 
			 (g) Tyneside Area February 2002 
			  (h) Access to HastingsReported December 2000 Decision announced 12 July 2001  
			 (i) Cambridge to Huntingdon July 2001 
			 (j) A453 M1—Nottingham Early 2002 
		
	
	Regional Planning Bodies will consider these reports and make recommendations to the Secretary of State in due course.
	In regard to the Access to Hastings Multi-Modal Study decision, I refer to the answers given on 12 July 2001, Official Report, columns 635–37.

Rail Safety

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fatalities there were per million passenger miles on the railways in each of the last 10 years; what the projected costs of current plans to improve safety are; and what percentage increase in safety is planned to result from them.

David Jamieson: The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate, publish fatality and injury rates to passengers in their Annual Report on Railway Safety, copies of which are placed in both House Libraries. The information is compiled per billion passenger rail miles. Fatality rates per billion passengers miles for each of the last ten years are reproduced in the following table.
	
		Fatality rate passengers—all railways 1990 to 1999–2000
		
			 Year Train incidents per billion passenger miles Movement incidents per billion passenger miles Non-movement incidents per billion passenger journeys 
		
		
			 1990 0 1.43 1.29 
			 1991–92 0.08 1.16 0.63 
			 1992–93 0 0.68 1.29 
			 1993–94 0 0.62 1.30 
			 1994–95 0.14 0.55 1.26 
			 1995–96 0.04 0.29 1.23 
			 1996–97 0.04 0.48 1.79 
			 1997–98 0.24 0.51 2.24 
			 1998–99 0 0.56 1.60 
			 1999–00 0.90 0.43 2.01 
		
	
	Key to table headings:
	"Train Incidents" include: collisions, derailments, trains running into obstructions, fires on board trains and missile damage to train windows;
	"Movement Incidents" are injuries caused by the movement of the train excluding train incidents e.g. a passenger falling off a platform and struck by a train; and
	"Non-movement Incidents" are injuries not caused by trains, e.g. A passenger slipping on the station platform.
	Figures for 2000–01 are still being compiled.
	All aspects of railway industry activity have potential safety impacts. These safety impacts are not always separately identified in the business planning process. Therefore, the projected cost of current industry plans to improve safety cannot be estimated.
	In the 1999–2000 Railway Group Safety Plan, the railway industry set itself a target to halve the annual number of accidental equivalent fatalities by 2009. (In calculating an 'equivalent fatality' 10 major injuries equate to one fatality and 200 minor injuries equate to one fatality.

Rail Safety

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has (a) made to and (b) received from Railtrack about the continued enforcement of speed restrictions; and when he estimates all restrictions will be lifted.

John Spellar: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to the Railtrack chairman last month expressing concern about the continued enforcement of speed restrictions on the national rail network and pressing for a firm timetable for reducing further the number outstanding, without in any way compromising safety. Railtrack will respond substantively once it has reached agreement with the train operating companies on the best balance between early removal of the restrictions and additional disruption to services that the necessary engineering work might cause.

Rail Safety

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has (a) made to and (b) received from each of the train operating companies about the continued enforcement of speed restrictions; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: Ministers have met representatives of the train operating companies on several occasions and discussed, among other issues, the continued enforcement of temporary speed restrictions, and the steps that Railtrack and the operators, working together, can take to minimise their impact.

Rail Safety

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will set out the timetable for completion of the inspection schedule used by Railtrack to assess track conditions; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

PPG25

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action his Department intends to take to develop Planning Policy Guidance Note Number 25; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 13 July 2001
	The Government today published the new Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 25 "Development and flood risk", following the fast-track consultation in February-March this year. It substantially follows the recommendations of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee in their December 2000 report on "Development on, or affecting, the flood plain", and strengthens the guidance that was previously contained in Department of the Environment Circular 30–92, which is now cancelled.
	The new PPG makes clear that building should be wholly exceptional in areas of flood plain that are currently undefended or defended to a relatively low standard and thus effectively function regularly as flood plains where water flows or is stored at times of flood.
	A risk-based sequential test outlines the appropriate planning responses to levels of flood risk to help to ensure that the problems that have occurred due to inappropriate development in flood-risk areas are reduced in future. This test gives clear priority to the development of areas that are not at high risk of flooding. It is intended to operate alongside the sequential test in PPG 3 "Housing", by which previously developed land is the first choice for housing, and to be consistent with sustainable development objectives in other PPGs.
	Application of this test through the development plan system and in the determination of individual applications will require planning authorities and developers to consult closely with the Environment Agency. Applicants will be required to assess the flood risk and impact of their proposals and to incorporate sustainable drainage systems as far as possible. Where flood defences and other mitigation measures are needed because of development, these should be fully funded as part of the development, including the necessary arrangements to maintain them for a 30-year period, after which they will be regarded as public assets and liabilities. The Government are preparing supplementary guidance on flood-resistant construction techniques to enable buildings to cope better with flooding and to recover faster.
	The emphasis on looking at flooding on the wider scale of the whole river catchment or coastal cell will be complemented by the initiative on catchment flood management plans being undertaken by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency.
	The implementation of PPG 25 will have some impact on construction costs and the running costs of planning authorities and the Environment Agency. However, the events of last autumn have clearly demonstrated that these are far outweighed by the future costs to householders, businesses and a range of public authorities, including local government and the Environment Agency of not adopting it as current policy on development and flood risk.

PPG25

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish new planning guidance on flooding.

Sally Keeble: The Government today published the new Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 25 "Development and flood risk", following the fast-track consultation in February-March this year. It substantially follows the recommendations of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee in their December 2000 report on "Development on, or affecting, the flood plain", and strengthens the guidance that was previously contained in Department of the Environment Circular 30–92, which is now cancelled.
	The new PPG makes clear that building should be wholly exceptional in areas of flood plain that are currently undefended or defended to a relatively low standard and thus effectively function regularly as flood plains where water flows or is stored at times of flood.
	A risk-based sequential test outlines the appropriate planning responses to levels of flood risk to help to ensure that the problems that have occurred due to inappropriate development in flood-risk areas are reduced in future. This test gives clear priority to the development of areas that are not at high risk of flooding. It is intended to operate alongside the sequential test in PPG 3 "Housing", by which previously developed land is the first choice for housing, and to be consistent with sustainable development objectives in other PPGs.
	Application of this test through the development plan system and in the determination of individual applications will require planning authorities and developers to consult closely with the Environment Agency. Applicants will be required to assess the flood risk and impact of their proposals and to incorporate sustainable drainage systems as far as possible. Where flood defences and other mitigation measures are needed because of development, these should be fully funded as part of the development, including the necessary arrangements to maintain them for a 30-year period, after which they will be regarded as public assets and liabilities. The Government is preparing supplementary guidance on flood-resistant construction techniques to enable buildings to cope better with flooding and to recover faster.
	The emphasis on looking at flooding on the wider scale of the whole river catchment or coastal cell will be complemented by the initiative on catchment flood management plans being undertaken by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency.
	The implementation of PPG 25 will have some impact on construction costs and the running costs of planning authorities and the Environment Agency. However, the events of last autumn have clearly demonstrated that these are far outweighed by the future costs to householders, businesses and a range of public authorities, including local government and the Environment Agency of not adopting it as current policy on development and flood risk.

Second Homes

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of (a) second homes entitled to a 50 per cent. council tax discount and (b) holiday homes for which a business rate is payable in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: (a) We estimate that approximately 220,000 second homes (defined as furnished and no-one's main residence) in England were entitled to a 50 per cent. council tax discount as at October 2000.
	(b) No estimate is available for the number of holiday homes in England for which a business rate is payable. This is because many holiday homes form part of a larger site, and in many cases it is the site as a whole—rather than individual properties—that is liable for business rates.
	Information on council tax and business rate liability in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly of Wales.

Council Tax

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) second homes and (b) other dwellings entitled to the 50 per cent. council tax discount there are in each district and county/unitary authority area; and what percentage they represent of domestic housing stock in each area.

Alan Whitehead: We estimate that approximately 220,000 second homes (defined as furnished and no-one's main residence) and 370,000 other dwellings were entitled to the 50 per cent. council tax discount as at October 2000. These represent 1.0 per cent. and 1.8 per cent. respectively of the total domestic housing stock in England.
	Comparable figures for each district and county/unitary area in England are not available.

Silverhill (A21)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that the storm drain for Silverhill on the A21 is reconstructed so that it drains into the river below the bypass.

David Jamieson: holding answer 16 July 2001
	The Environment Agency, who are responsible for flood alleviation, has not suggested that any work is necessary to the A21 culverts to alleviate the flooding problems in and around Robertsbridge. The Highways Agency has no plans to reconstruct the storm drain at Silver Hill.

Private Finance Initiatives

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the PFI contracts on local authority leisure centres entered into since 1997, indicating (a) the value of the PFI, (b) the name of the successful contractor, (c) those PFIs which have benefited from refinancing arrangements, (d) the value of the benefit accrued to the company concerned and (e) the extent of the clawback.

Alan Whitehead: No contracts have yet been signed for central government supported PFI leisure centres. No information is held on PFI schemes funded entirely by a local authority.

Private Finance Initiatives

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) PFI and (b) PPP contracts have been agreed by his Department over the last five years; how many have been satisfactorily completed; and in how many has compensation been (i) paid and (ii) claimed for performance failure.

Alan Whitehead: The table provides details of DTLR's PFI and PPP contracts signed in the past five years. It states whether the service is operational, and whether service charge payments have been withheld. Should PFI and PPP contractors fail to provide the contracted service they will not receive the full unitary service charge payment for the relevant month.
	
		PFI and PPP contracts signed since 1997
		
			 Year contract signed  Name of contract  Status of service Has part of service charge payment been withheld? 
		
		
			 PFI
			 1997 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre—Catering Operational No 
			 2000 Highways Agency—A13 "Thames Gateway"(2) Under construction n/a 
			 2000 Vehicle Inspectorate—MOT computerisation Under construction n/a 
			 2001 Highways Agency—Traffic Control Centre Under construction n/a 
			 
			 PPP
			 1997 Manchester Metrolink—extension to Salford Quays and Eccles(3) Operational No 
			 1999 Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust Operational No 
			 2001 National Air Traffic Control Services (NATS) PPP —(4) n/a 
		
	
	(2) The A13 Thames Gateway contract has been transferred to Transport for London.
	(3) The Manchester Metrolink contract was let by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and received substantial funding from DTLR.
	(4) NATS have announced their preferred partner—Airlines Group (British Airways, British Midland, Virgin, Britannia, Monarch, Easy-Jet and Airtours) and is due to let the contract shortly.

Channel Tunnel (Rail Freight)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what work his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the viability of freight traffic using the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (i) on the tracks currently under construction and (ii) using the same corridor; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 16 July 2001
	My Department, and its predecessors, have not commissioned any studies of freight use of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the same corridor. In 1993 Union Railways evaluated the impact of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link on rail freight traffic. The results of this work were used by the Department to inform the decisions to go ahead with the construction of the Link.

Central Railway

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what evaluations his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) reviewed into the operation of Central Railway.

David Jamieson: holding answer 16 July 2001
	My Department has not commissioned any evaluation of Central Railway's proposals. The Strategic Rail Authority's Freight Strategy outlines a programme of infrastructure and freight-specific investment, and discusses the concept of a new strategic route between the Channel Tunnel, the West Midlands and the north. It is in this context that the SRA initiated a high-level review of Central Railway's proposals. The SRA's consultants have now delivered their report and the SRA will advise the Government of its findings in due course. We will respond to Central Railway taking the SRA's conclusions into account.

Train Passengers

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures exist to require train companies to regulate the number of passengers that trains may safely carry (a) at peak times of travel and (b) at other times; and how such measures are enforced.

David Jamieson: The Health and Safety Executive consider overcrowding on trains to be a matter of comfort rather than one of safety. Accordingly there are no statutory safety limits on the number of passengers that can travel on trains. For commuter routes into London and Edinburgh train operators are required to keep overcrowding within specified thresholds. All trains in use have a nominal capacity, and operators must plan their services to ensure that the aggregated number of Passenger's In Excess of Capacity is kept to 3 per cent. over the morning and evening peaks or 4.5 per cent. for either peak in isolation. Train operators conduct annual passenger counts to demonstrate compliance. If the thresholds are breached the company is required to produce an action plan to remedy the problem.

Boundary Changes

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will decide on the recommendations of the Local Government Commission regarding the boundary changes in the Swale borough council area; and when he will issue an order with regard to such changes.

Alan Whitehead: I have made the preliminary decision to accept the recommendations of the Local Government Commission for Swale borough council without amendment. We are now consulting on a draft Order which, if made, would give effect to the Commission's recommendations. Subject to the consultation I envisage making the Order implementing the revised electoral arrangements in Swale in the autumn.

Rough Sleepers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 1408W, concerning rough sleepers, how many rough sleepers are aged (a) under 16, (b) 16 to 25, (c) 26 to 35, (d) 36 to 45, (e) 46 to 55, (f) 56 to 65, (g) 66 to 75 and (h) over 75 years.

Sally Keeble: "Coming in from the Cold", the Government's strategy on tackling rough sleeping, has delivered a raft of policies and services that are preventing vulnerable people coming on to the streets and rebuilding the lives of former rough sleepers.
	The RSU has introduced a range of services in London to help vulnerable rough sleepers off the streets. A recent analysis of rough sleeper ages recorded by London Contact and Assessment Teams from 1 December 2000 to 31 March 2001 showed that around 40 per cent. of rough sleepers were aged between 26 and 35, with roughly 20 per cent. aged between 16 and 25, and 36 and 45. Around 10 per cent. were aged between 46 and 55 and roughly 10 per cent. were aged over 56 years of age, of which a very small percentage were between 66 and 75 and over 75. Contact and Assessment Teams found no rough sleepers under 16 during the period.
	A similar picture showing the greatest proportion of rough sleeping in the 26–35 age band is also found in other areas of the country.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the Information Technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Stephen Byers: The information my right hon. Friend requests is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

M25 (Resurfacing)

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish the timetable for decision making and the subsequent development and execution of plans to resurface the M25.

David Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Humfrey Malins, dated 17 July 2001
	The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about plans to resurface the M25.
	The Highways Agency have published a leaflet giving advance notice of roadworks, including resurfacing, on the M25 motorway. The leaflet, which is updated quarterly, is widely available and currently covers the period July to September 2001. A copy is enclosed and copies have been placed in the Library.
	The trunk road network is regularly monitored by the Highways Agency who will continue to make maintenance a priority over the next 10 years, with a maintenance programme of around £7 billion between 2001–10.
	If you would like more details: Peter Rix in the Agency's Dorking Office will be able to help. His telephone number is 01306 878356.

Fleet Driver Training

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Driving Standards Agency regarding fleet driver training and the applicability of police advanced training standards based on the National/ International Roadcraft Manual; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: When setting appropriate standards for fleet driver training we will consider carefully all comments received in response to the recent consultation exercise undertaken by the Driving Standards Agency, together with the work that the Agency has been undertaking in partnership with the police service developing national standards for police drivers.

Fleet Driver Training

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what consultations the Driving Standards Agency is undertaking regarding fleet driver training; and when these consultations will be concluded.

David Jamieson: The Driving Standards Agency issued a consultation paper in February about registering driving instructors who specialize in fleet driver training. The consultation period ended in May. Responses are now being considered together with our proposals for the wider reform of the regulation of driver instruction, which was announced in our Road Safety Strategy: "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone," and suggestions for improving "work related" road safety. I hope to be in a position to make announcements later in the year.

Jubilee Line

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many weekdays this year the Jubilee underground line has been run without interruption.

David Jamieson: This is an operational matter for London Underground who inform me the standard they used to measure "without interruption" is that there are no service delays of 15 minutes or more. They have provided the following information for this financial year to date (1 April 2001 until 23 June 2001): the Jubilee line has run for 24 days out of 56 without interruption. The 24 days does not include four bank holidays which are treated as weekends rather than weekdays. Of the remaining 32 days, there were three in which the delays were attributable to external factors, such as a person on the track, and two where suspect packages caused delays.

Regional Chambers

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the outcome was of the Government's consultation on the proposed fund for regional chambers.

Nick Raynsford: We have had a very positive response to the consultation on strengthening the regions which my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor launched earlier this year.
	I am therefore announcing today the go-ahead for the new £15 million fund for regional chambers—£5 million this year, and in each of the next two years. This will help them to enhance their role in providing regional input to, and scrutinising, the plans and work of the Regional Development Agencies, and to develop their position as the strategic focal point for the regions. The aim is to provide a stronger framework for representing the regions' views, not to impose burdensome new procedures on the RDAs or others.
	In 2001–02, £500,000 is available for each chamber to develop its scrutiny role, with a further £1 million set aside for initiatives, supported by the chambers collectively, on setting up the new regime. While we envisage that bids would normally be for the first year only, we have not ruled out the possibility of bids for two, or even three, years' worth of funding where that is what the chambers want. The deadline for receiving bids has been extended to 29 July.
	Detailed arrangements for allocating the funding in the following two years will be settled in the light of further discussions with the chambers. The future of the funding beyond the current three-year period will be a matter for the next spending review.

Local Government Commission for England

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made on the transfer of the Local Government Commission for England to the Electoral Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: We have now consulted the Electoral Commission, the Local Government Commission for England and other interested parties, on a draft of an order to be made under section 18 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which would provide for the transfer of functions with effect from 1 April 2002. In the light of comments received, our firm intention is now, subject to parliamentary approval of a draft, to make this order as soon as practicable.

Flooding (Kimpton)

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to North Hertfordshire district council under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of costs incurred following the severe flooding in the village of Kimpton on 24 and 25 February.

Nick Raynsford: I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of North Hertfordshire district council, given the exceptional nature of flooding. A scheme will, therefore be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to cover 100 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold, which the authority has incurred in dealing with the flooding.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by her Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by her Department.

Harriet Harman: The information is as follows: Crown Prosecution Service
	A list of contracts awarded by the Crown Prosecution Service since 1993 is shown in the table. Records are not available for the period before April 1993.
	Serious Fraud Office
	The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) signed a PFI contract with IBM in January 1998 to develop an integrated document management system for the SFO. As an additional service, IBM took on the management of the internal IT services. This latter contract was to run for seven years, with the option to extend for a further three years. The estimated value of the contract over its life was £15 million. Since 1998 £4.8 million has been paid to IBM. In September 2000 a variation to the contract was agreed under which IBM continued to provide internal IT systems for a further three years.
	In 2000 it was recognised by SFO and IBM that it was no longer appropriate to continue with the development of the document management system due to changes in the SFO's business environment and in technology. No payments have been made to IBM in respect of their work on the integrated document management system.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department has not entered into any information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 since April 1991.
	
		
			  Project Estimated and actual cost (£ million)  Estimated and actual completion date  Major contractor  Other contractors and consultants 
		
		
			 SCOPE Case Tracking System Est. 8.0 Est. March 1994 Unisys  
			  Act. 10.6 Act. April 1997 
			  
			 SPIRE Payroll System Est. 3.0 August 1996 ADP Chessington(5)  
			  Act. 3.0 August 1996 
			  
			  
			 Finance System Est. 2.1 Est. April 1997 HBOC  
			  Act. 2.3 Act. April 1997 
			  
			 Connect 42 Office Automation (6)Est. 18.0 Act. 23.5 Est. July 2001 Planned November 2001 Integris(7) MG Admiral(8); DSCe Integration Ltd.; Donaldson Ericsson Ltd.; Farebrother Engineering Services Ltd.; GCat Computacentre (UK) Ltd.; Harold Palfreyman Ltd.; Hays Accountancy Personnel; Xansa UK Ltd.(9); Parity Resources Ltd.; SQA-Herman Miller Ltd.; Workplace by Design Ltd.; Yale Data Management Consultants Ltd. 
		
	
	(5) Formerly Chessington Computer Services
	(6) Plus £5.5 million expenditure on ergonomic furniture, building and electrical works
	(7) Formerly Bull Information Systems
	(8) Formerly Admiral Management Service
	(9) Formerly Kermon Management Consultants

Homosexual Convictions (Appeal to ECHR)

Brian Iddon: To ask the Solicitor-General if the appeal made by five of the men convicted at Bolton Crown court of homosexual activity in private has been listed for a hearing at the European Court of Human Rights; and if it is the British Government's intention to defend the appeal.

Keith Bradley: I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Solicitor-General. The case of Connell and others v. UK has not been listed for hearing by the European Court of Human Rights. The court has extended the period in which the Government can submit written observations on the case to allow it to negotiate a friendly settlement with the applicants. We are actively pursuing such a settlement with the applicants' representatives.

PRIME MINISTER

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Prime Minister when he last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties.

Tony Blair: I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements, and use the underground as and when appropriate.

Energy Policy Review

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the expertise available to the energy policy review.

Tony Blair: The PIU energy policy review will draw on expertise from:
	the energy review team led by Nick Hartley, on secondment from OXERA;
	the advisory group chaired by the Minister for Industry and Energy;
	Government bodies including central Departments and FCO posts; and
	an experts group consisting of academics and other experts.
	Details of the energy review team, including short biographical notes, and the full membership of the advisory group will be published on the PIU website next week. The membership of the experts group will also be posted on the website.
	As the project proceeds, the review team will commission discrete research projects as required, receive submissions from key organisations and meet with stakeholders.

Sustainable Development

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister which is the lead Department for delivering the Government's sustainable development policy following the reorganisation of Government Departments; and how his office deals with sustainability issues.

Tony Blair: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has the lead in driving forward UK sustainable development policy. However, delivery of sustainable development remains, as in the last Parliament, a cross-Government responsibility. That is why we have established a committee of Green Ministers from every Department, ENV(G), to consider the impact on sustainable development of Government policies and improve the performance of Departments in contributing to sustainable development. In that way we can ensure that sustainable development is integrated into decision making across Government, including in my office.

Sellafield

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has received in respect of nuclear reprocessing at Sellafield.

Tony Blair: I understand that I have received a small number of representations.

Peers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 566W, which peers created since 2 May 1997 were working peers; and which were not.

Tony Blair: holding answer 16 July 2001
	All peers are appointed in the expectation that they will make a valuable contribution to the work of the House of Lords.

Peers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to distinguish formally between those peers that (a) were and (b) were not ennobled through the Appointments Commission.

Tony Blair: holding answer 16 July 2001
	None. All peers have the same status. With the exception of peerages created to enable individuals to serve as Ministers, all recommendations that I make to the Queen are referred to the House of Lords Appointments Commission for scrutiny. This includes all recommendations from leaders of political parties, and a very limited number of recommendations for holders of high public office. The decision on whether to recommend candidates in these last two categories rests with me, unlike those non-political recommendations proposed by the Commission itself, which I submit automatically to the Queen.

Srebrenica Massacre

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister what plans the heads of Government of European Union member states have to mark the sixth anniversary of the massacre at Srebrenica.

Tony Blair: The sixth anniversary of the massacre at Srebrenica took place on 11 July. EU Ambassadors in Sarajevo, including the British Ambassador, attended the commemorative event and unveiling of a memorial stone, funded by the British Government, to the victims of the massacre.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Capitol Publishing

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department has received on the homeworking company Capitol Publishing.

Melanie Johnson: We have checked through the Department's records in relation to homeworking activities for the last 12 months and can find no record of any representations received on Capitol Publishing.

Miners' Compensation

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for miners' compensation are outstanding in (a) Cynon Valley and (b) the rest of Wales.

Brian Wilson: IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, have registered 3,559 outstanding claims in respect of respiratory disease in the region of Cynon Valley as defined by the postcodes with prefixes CF 37, 44 and 45. There are 25,155 outstanding claims in the rest of Wales.
	With regards to vibration white finger, VWF, there are 1,736 outstanding claims in Cynon Valley and 11,641 outstanding claims in the rest of Wales.
	Following recent significant progress, the rate of assessments has increased from 8,000 at the beginning of the year to over 25,000 now. In Wales alone assessments have increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Around 500 claims a week are now being reviewed following the Medical Assessment Process.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by her Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: The information requested by my right hon. Friend which is readily available from central records is listed in the table. In several cases contracts are still running and a final cost figure cannot yet be provided. Expenditure within some contracts cannot be precisely estimated, because it is affected by volume of business or because the contracts concerned allow the development of solutions to changing business requirements not originally foreseeable. In no contracts were consultants retained (or are there plans to retain consultants) beyond completion of their assigned tasks.
	
		
			  Original Actual  
			 Contract Cost (£ million) Completion Cost (£ million) Completion Contractor 
		
		
			 Mainframe computer services 6.0 1995 6.0 1995 Capita Managed Services 
			 Mainframe computer services 6.3 1999 6.3 1999 Cap Gemini 
			 Mainframe computer services 8.0 2004 (10)— (11)— Hyder Business Services 
			 Document processing (devpmt) 1.0 2000 1.0 2000 IBM UK 
			 Document processing (support) 1.8 2000 1.8 2000 IBM UK 
			 Document image storage (devpmt) 1.0 1997 1.0 1997 IBM UK 
			 Document image storage (support) 1.5 2002 (10)— (11)— IBM UK 
			 Internet managed services 6.0 2002 (10)— (11)— Orchid Telematics Ltd. 
			 Financial Systems Application 1.6 2006 (10)— (11)— QSP Group plc 
			 Local Office Information System 5.1 1994 5.4 1995 Sequent Computer Systems 
			 Batch Accounting and Nominal Ledger Control System 0.6 1994 0.8 1996 AMP Systems Ltd. 
			 Local Office Ledger Accounting 0.6 1996 0.7 1996 Radius Computer Services 
			 Integrated Bibliographic and Image System 1.9 1999 1.9 2001 ICL Ltd. 
			 Open Individual Export Licence system development 0.6 2001 (10)— (11)— SEMA 
			 Export Control Licensing System (ECLIPS) 0.7 1993 0.9 1995 UNISYS 
			 CWC Database System 0.5 1995 0.7 1996 Cap Gemini 
			 IT support 1.1 2003 (10)— (11)— Cap Gemini 
			 IT services 2.5 2014 (10)— (11)— ICL 
			 Data Communication Services 1.1 2006 (10)— (11)— Cable and Wireless 
			 OSPREY Office System 23.1 1999 24.1 1999 ICL Ltd. 
			 Electronic Government via Administrative Re-engineering 200 2014 (10)— (11)— ICL Ltd. 
			 Century Date Change (Year 2000) Support 0.5 1999 0.5 1999 CMG Ltd. 
			 Personnel and Related Information System 0.8 1997 — (12)1999 Unisys Ltd. 
		
	
	(10) On track
	(11) Still running
	(12) Contract terminated
	Note:
	The table excludes details of an IT services contract let to Gap Gemini which ran from 1995 to 1999. This was a 'framework' contract covering a number of projects and services of varying values. Information on this contract would involve disproportionate cost arising from the need for a manual search of relevant registered files

Broadcasters (Fair Trading)

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers the Office of Fair Trading has to prevent the abuse of market power by broadcasters.

Melanie Johnson: Under UK competition law the Director General of Fair Trading is required to apply and enforce the provisions of the Competition Act 1998 to prevent conduct by one or more undertakings which amounts to the abuse of a dominant position in a market in the UK (or a part thereof) and which may affect trade within the UK (the Chapter II Prohibition).

Sub-Post Offices

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed in the first quarter of the 2001–02 financial year.

Patricia Hewitt: I understand from Post Office Network that the figures are not yet available.

Business Regulation

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she intends to take in respect of the reports (a) 'Economic Regulators' and (b) 'Local Shops: a Progress report on Small Firms Regulation'.

Patricia Hewitt: We expect to publish Government responses to these two Better Regulation Task Force reports in September.

Enterprise Grants

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many enterprise grants were awarded in the south-west in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

Alan Johnson: The number of enterprise grants awarded in the south-west was (a) 13 in the calendar year 2000 and (b) 25 so far in the calendar year 2001.

Enterprise Grants

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the size of the fund for enterprise grants in the south-west was in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

Alan Johnson: The budget for enterprise grants in the south-west was £450,000 in 2000–01. An indicative budget at the same level has been set for 2001–02.

Enterprise Grants

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many enterprise grants were awarded to businesses in the Forest of Dean in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

Alan Johnson: The number of enterprise grants awarded in the Forest of Dean was (a) one in the calendar year 2000 and (b) nil so far in the calendar year 2001.

Enterprise Grants

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the (a) largest and (b) smallest amount awarded in enterprise grant in the south-west in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001.

Alan Johnson: The largest and smallest amounts awarded in enterprise grant in the south-west in the calendar year 2000 and so far in the calendar year 2001 were:
	
		£ 
		
			 Enterprise grant 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Largest 74,250 75,000 
			 Smallest 1,815 1,150

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she last travelled on the London underground in the course of her official duties.

Patricia Hewitt: In the course of my official duties, I travel using the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transport and travel on the underground as and when appropriate.

Energy Resources Review

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Performance and Innovation Unit's Energy Resources Review will examine the options set out in the report on interim storage of spent nuclear fuel, prepared by Harvard university and the university of Tokyo published in June.

Brian Wilson: The review of energy policy will be considering what role, if any, the nuclear industry should play in meeting longer term environmental and security of supply objectives and will take into account any relevant information. I will refer the report referred to by my hon. Friend to the attention of the PIU team which is undertaking the review.

HEALTH

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date the NHS and local councils will have concluded the work set out in paragraph 7.19 of the National Service Framework for Older People; and what he expects to be included in specialist residential care services.

Jacqui Smith: We are working with local councils, National Health Service agencies and care providers on an agreement to give greater direction to the commissioning of care for older people. This includes encouraging the development of specialist residential and nursing care services for people with dementia.

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Task Force for Older People has made of delivery of the National Service Framework for older people to date.

Jacqui Smith: The National Taskforce for Older People has an advisory role on the implementation of policy. It gives advice on the basis of its members' expertise in the delivery of frontline services. However, it does not have an executive role to monitor performance of the National Health Service or social services against National Service Framework targets. This task is undertaken by the officials responsible for NSF implementation and the information is fed through to taskforce members to inform their discussions.

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the remit, membership and reporting lines of the national implementation group for the National Service Framework for Older People are; and how the group relates to the Task Force for Older People.

Jacqui Smith: A national implementation group for the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People met during development of the NSF in March 2001. A group of officials from the National Health Service and social care regional offices together with departmental policy officials continues to meet regularly to plan and monitor implementation of a range of policies, including the NSF. The discussions of this group are also fed through to the members of the Older People's Taskforce.
	The Taskforce for Older People has an advisory role on the implementation of policy. It gives advice on the basis of its members' experience in their delivery of frontline services, which is fed into the policy making process. It does not have an executive role to monitor performance.

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extra numbers of staff required to establish the falls services described in paragraphs 6.37 and 6.38 of the National Service Framework for Older People; and what assessment he has made of the numbers of such staff (a) already trained and (b) in training.

Jacqui Smith: The detailed assessment of the number and appropriate skill mix of staff teams to establish the falls service described in Standard Six of the National Service Framework for Older People will be undertaken by the National Workforce Development Board, informed by the Care Group Workforce Team for older people which will be established shortly.

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out how many (a) consultants in old age medicine and (b) consultants in rehabilitation there were in each of the last three years for which figures exist; how his Department calculated its estimate of old age medicine consultants on page 139 of the National Service Framework for Older People; and what his estimate is of the number of extra rehabilitation consultants required.

Jacqui Smith: The number of consultants employed in old age medicine and rehabilitation are set out in the table.
	There are already a number of specialist registrars, based on the Specialty Workforce Advisory Group's assessment of demand, training in old age psychiatry and geriatric medicine. The figures quoted in the National Service Framework reflect the increases that would be achieved if those trainees are employed as consultants as they complete their training. The increases are offset by estimates of the annual number of retirements
	The number of extra rehabilitation consultants required will be determined by the National Workforce Development Board informed by the Care Group Workforce Team for older people.
	
		Hospital medical consultants within the geriatric and rehabilitation medicine specialities
		
			Numbers  
			 England as at 30 September 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Geriatric medicine 710 720 770 
			 Rehabilitation medicine 70 70 80 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the assessment working group to provide the further evidence referred to in paragraph 2.44 of the National Service Framework for Older People.

Jacqui Smith: Guidance on the introduction of a single assessment process across health and social care promised in the National Service Framework for Older People will be published shortly.

Respite Health Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will define (a) respite health care and (b) specialist health care support, set out in paragraph 16 of HSC 2001/015: LAC (2001)18.

Jacqui Smith: Respite health care is typically understood to describe packages of care to provide respite for the main carer of a person where the care being provided is primarily health care, for example continence care.
	Specialist health care support is typically understood to describe the expertise of health care professionals available to patients with more specialised health care needs, such as tissue viability or continence, or the maintenance of domiciliary equipment.

Patient Consultation

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for reforming patient consultation in the national health service; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Sections 7 to 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 make provision for strengthening patient and public consultation and involvement in the operation of the national health service. Local authority overview and scrutiny committees will scrutinise the NHS including decisions on local NHS reorganisations and service change. NHS bodies will have a statutory duty to make arrangements with a view to securing that the public are involved in and consulted on the planning of NHS services and decisions affecting the operation of those services. We intend to build on these foundations to make sure patients and the public are at the heart of shaping and developing NHS services in the future.

National Cardiothoracic Transplant Service

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision will be made to meet the additional travelling expenses of transplant patients receiving extended post-operative care following the reorganisation of the National Cardiothoracic Transplant Service.

John Hutton: holding answer 9 July 2001
	Under the hospital travel costs scheme, transplant patients are treated in the same way as any other patients receiving treatment at specialist centres.
	Patients who are in receipt of benefits including weekly Income Support, Working Families Tax Credit, Disabled Persons Tax Credit, or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance are entitled to receive help with their hospital travel costs. Other patients may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement on the basis of a low income and patients who would not normally fall into the low income category might become entitled to receive help if they have to travel long distances frequently.

Antidepressants

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the World Health Organisation figures relating to SSRI antidepressants and benzodiazepines; and if he will issue further guidance to GPs on the prescribing of these drugs.

Hazel Blears: The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has on-line access to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and routinely evaluates these data. MCA contributes all United Kingdom suspected ADR reports to the WHO database. Prescribing information on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines in the UK is consistent with the known safety profiles of these medicines.
	Guidance on how to prescribe SSRIs and benzodiazepines, including information on dose and duration of treatment and possible adverse effects, is available in the authorised summary of product characteristics for these medicines. Guidance is also provided to general practitioners in the British National Formulary.

Antidepressants

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his assessment is of the therapeutic value of antidepressants compared with placebos.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 9 July 2001
	There is a large scientific literature that indicates that antidepressant medication is superior in efficacy to placebo. This is particularly the case where depression is more severe. Placebos have been noted to be of some benefit and there is a range of so-called non-specific factors (care, interest and attention from the clinician) which are relevant.
	An example is the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Research Program in the United States reported in the mid 1990s. They compared two forms of psychotherapy, antidepressant medication (imipramine) and placebo. The latter two treatments also involved "clinical management" which included a weekly meeting with the clinician to discuss symptoms, side effects and progress. For mild depression no significant differences were found between the treatment groups. However for the more severely affected patients the antidepressant treatment was the most effective.
	Early studies with tricyclic antidepressant drugs showed that 60 per cent. to 70 per cent. of patients with depression will respond to antidepressant drug treatment as compared with 15 per cent. to 30 per cent. of those treated with placebo. The response to antidepressant medication will take at least two weeks but in some cases up to four weeks or more. The newer antidepressant drugs have been shown to have similar, but not greater, efficacy to the older style medications. The advantage of the newer drugs lies in lower toxicity and different side effects.

RSI and Fibromyalgia

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued to general practitioners and hospitals regarding RSI and fibromyalgia; and what recent clinical studies of these have been commissioned by the Department.

John Hutton: The Department has not issued guidelines in respect of repetitive strain injury and fibromyalgia. However we are constantly reviewing the subjects in the light of research which is being commissioned. One such research project is entitled "A Randomised Control Trial of exercise prescription in fibromyalgia" which is due to be completed in September 2001.
	The Department also provides support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the national health service. We are currently supporting 13 such ongoing projects on fibromyalgia and one on RSI. Full details can be found on the national research register.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means NICE defines and identifies experts to advise their appraisal committees.

John Hutton: holding answer 11 July 2001
	Details of the appraisal process are a matter for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. NICE has recently published details of the process, including a full description of the selection of experts. Experts are now nominated by stakeholder bodies, and the selection is made by the chairman of the appraisal committee using published criteria.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the membership of the Appraisal Committee following recent appeals against NICE.

John Hutton: holding answer 16 July 2001
	No. Appeals are a part of the Institute's process for developing robust and reliable guidance.

Road Accident Casualties

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money NHS hospitals have claimed from motor insurance providers to recover the cost of treating road accident casualties over the last three years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 16 July 2001
	Prior to 5 April 1999, National Health Service trusts had responsibility for collecting charges for hospital treatment following road traffic accidents under the provisions of sections 157 and 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The system changed with the introduction of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999, which came into effect on 5 April 1999 and there is now a new centralised recovery system, which is undertaken by the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU). The table gives income collected for the last three years during which the system for recovery changed.
	
		NHS trusts (England) income from activities: Road Traffic Act
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1998–99(13) 19.6 
			 1999–2000(14) 26.4 
			 2000–01(15) 67 
		
	
	(13) Income collected under the old scheme taken from NHS Trusts (England) Summarisation Schedules.
	(14) Transitional year, this is income collected by the CRU under the new scheme as other income received by trusts as a spill over from the old arrangements cannot be identified separately in Trust Accounts.
	(15) Income collected by the CRU under the new scheme.

Fraud (NHS)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to tackle the rise in fraud in the NHS.

John Hutton: Losses to fraud in the National Health Service have fallen since the creation of the NHS Counter Fraud Service (CFS) in 1998 and will continue to fall. The NHS CFS have achieved a reduction of £48 million in losses to patient fraud within pharmaceutical services and have recovered over £5 million within cases of fraud by pharmaceutical contractors.
	The NHS CFS objectives are to minimise all fraud and corruption in the NHS and to ensure that money is not lost to fraud but is spent on providing better patient care and services. We will continue to work closely with all the associations representing those that deliver or use NHS services. This inclusive approach means we will be able to continue to take positive action that is in the best interests of the NHS.

Children Act

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will report on the operation of the Children Act 1989.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Lord Chancellor have today published a report on the Children Act 1989, pursuant to their duties under section 83 of the Act. Copies are available in the Library and Vote Office; and are being sent to all local authorities in England and to a wide range of organisations. A copy of this document can also be found at the following website address: www.doh.gov.uk/scg/ childrenactreport2000.htm.

Nursing Homes

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to fulfil the pledge made in the NHS Plan to introduce free nursing in nursing homes.

Jacqui Smith: We have today issued draft guidance and directions on implementing free nursing care in England and copies have been placed in the Library. The Department will introduce this from 1 October for those who pay for their care themselves. This will bring financial benefits to approximately 35,000 people who currently pay for their care from their own resources and could save up to just over £5,000 in a full year for some people.
	It will also end the anomaly of people having to pay for care that is provided free of charge by the National Health Service in other settings.
	Those people whose care is currently provided by councils and who receive free nursing care anyway will receive it free via the NHS from April 2002.

Organ Donors

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people in the United Kingdom of Asian heritage have registered as organ donors; what percentage of the total this represents; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many patients of Asian heritage are waiting for organ transplants; and what percentage of the total number of patients this represents.

John Hutton: The National Health Service organ donor register does not provide any information on ethnicity.
	The Department launched the South Asian community campaign in 1999 to recruit more donors from the community. The campaign involves a variety of community lead initiatives, using advertising in the broadcast media, press as well as public relations activities. This campaign has generated a great deal of interest—both in transplantation and in preventing the underlying causes of renal failure. The campaign is ongoing.
	Patients on the national organ transplant waiting lists at centres in the United Kingdom is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Organ awaited Total Total where ethnic origin is recorded Asian/ Asian-British Asian/Asian-British as a percentage of total where origin recorded 
		
		
			 Renal (kidney, pancreas kidney/pancreas) 6,220 5,793 827 13.9 
			 Cardiothoracic (heart, lungs, heart/lungs) 464 430 18 4.2 
			 Liver 159 157 14 8.9 
			  
			 Total 6,843 6,557 859 13.1 
		
	
	Source:
	This information was provided by United Kingdom Transplant

Acute Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of staffing levels in acute NHS hospitals in respect of the ability of the service to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment within the agreed national clinical standards.

John Hutton: The work force commitments to recruit additional nurses, doctors and therapists in the NHS Plan take account of the need to increase the number of staff necessary to deliver diagnosis and treatment within the agreed clinical standards set out in the National Service Frameworks.

Nurses

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the support available to those adults on low incomes and with child care needs who wish to enrol as (a) a trainee nurse and (b) for a nursing qualification.

John Hutton: National Health Service funded students are provided with a favourable level of non-repayable bursary and have their contribution to tuition fees, currently £1,050, paid in full on their behalf.
	The diploma level route into nursing provides a generous level of bursary which is non-means-tested. No contribution is therefore required from the family income.
	The means-tested bursary, available to degree level students, targets low income families as it provides a higher level of support for those in the greatest need. In addition, degree level students are also eligible for assistance through Student Loans (available from the Student Loan Company), Hardship Loans and NHS Hardship Grants.
	Although the NHS bursary does not specifically provide help with childcare costs, extra allowances are available for single parents and for those who have dependants (including children).
	A number of NHS hospitals have started schemes where they employ individuals as healthcare assistants/ nursing auxiliaries, train them to entry level standard for nurse training and allow them to retain their salary while they undertake the diploma nurse training programme.
	Student families on low income are also eligible to claim Working Families Tax Credit.
	Assistance with childcare costs is also provided for some students through charitable organisations.
	Ministers aim to provide the widest possible access to nurse training, and continue to take a close interest in ensuring that student support arrangements promote this objective.

Bursaries (Nurses)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated saving is from the proposal to withdraw bursaries from nursing students from non- European countries.

John Hutton: No cost saving is anticipated.
	The change to the student support arrangements was not introduced as a cost-saving measure but to bring conditions for access to the National Health Service bursary for applicants to diploma nursing and midwifery courses into line with those for degree nurses, and students in higher education as a whole.

Bursaries (Nurses)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on the recruitment of nurses in the United Kingdom of the proposal to withdraw bursaries from student nurses from non-European countries.

John Hutton: We do not expect any impact on student nurse recruitment.
	The change to the National Health Service bursary regulations requiring applicants to diploma level pre- registration courses in England to meet a prior residence requirement, will be phased in over a 15 month period. The staging of the changes will minimise the impact on higher education institutions. This change will bring diploma level courses into line with degree courses.
	In areas which traditionally have recruited significant numbers of students from beyond the European Union, NHS workforce confederations will work closely with Higher Education Institutions to ensure that places on nursing/midwifery courses continue to be filled.
	A 10.4 per cent. increase in the basic rate of bursary, effective from September 2001, will also assist in the recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery students.
	This year we are on course to deliver just under 21,000 nursing and midwifery training places, in English higher education institutions, nearly 6,000 more than four years ago.
	By 2004, on current plans, we expect more than 45,000 new nurses and midwives to come out of training.
	Student nurse recruitment in other parts of the United Kingdom is a matter for the devolved assemblies.

Bursaries (Nurses)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of bursaries to nursing students from non-European countries.

John Hutton: With effect from 1 November 2001 applicants to diploma level pre-registration courses in nursing and midwifery in England who wish to access the National Health Service bursary will be expected to meet a prior residence requirement. This brings the NHS bursary regulations for these courses into line with those for degree level nursing and midwifery courses, and for higher education as a whole.
	The changes are staged over a 15 month period in order to minimise the impact. In areas which traditionally have recruited significant numbers of students from beyond the European Union, NHS workforce confederations will work closely with higher education institutes to ensure that places on nursing/midwifery courses continue to be filled.
	Officials consulted fully with the representative bodies for higher education before Ministers decided to change the residence requirement.
	Ministers will continue to take a close interest in the effective operation of these new arrangements.

Strategic Health Authorities

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the borders of the new strategic health authorities.

John Hutton: The boundaries of the new strategic health authorities, of which we expect there to be around 30, will be announced after a formal public consultation that will take place in the autumn.

Hospital Readmissions

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were readmitted to hospital within two months of being discharged for each of the past 10 years.

John Hutton: Information for 1998–99 on emergency re-admissions to hospital within 28 days of discharge was published in graphical form in July 2000 in "Quality and performance in the National Health Service: NHS Performance Indicators", copies of which are available in the Library. Standardised rates for England for 1998–99 and for the years 1997–98 and 1996–97 are available from the Department's website: http:/www.doh.gov.uk/ nhsperformanceindicators/hlpi2000/h1137.html.

Bed Blocking

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled in east Sussex, in each quarter of 2000 and 2001, as a result of hospital beds being occupied by (a) delayed discharge patients who were awaiting social services funding or assessment and (b) delayed discharge patients who had fully funded social services packages arranged.

Hazel Blears: holding answer sent 16 July 2001
	Information is not collected centrally in the format requested.
	Information on the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-medical reasons, and breaches to the standard to re-admit patients within one month following such cancellations, are collected on a quarterly basis at health authority level and placed in the Library. The latest figures cover the five quarters up to quarter 4 (January to March 2001) of the 2000–01 financial year.

Bed Blocking

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospital beds were unavailable in east Sussex to incoming patients as a result of their occupation by (a) delayed discharge patients who were awaiting social services funding and (b) delayed discharge patients who had fully funded social services packages arranged, in each quarter of 2000 and 2001.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 16 July 2001
	Bed statistics are not collected centrally in the format requested. Figures on the average daily number of beds for each national health service trust are published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England", copies of which are in the Library.

Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish an annual report under section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is publishing today the annual report for 1999–2000, and copies are being placed in the Library. The report covers research and development work carried out by (or on behalf of) Government Departments in relation to equipment that might increase the range of activities and independence or well-being of disabled people, and in particular such equipment that might improve their indoor and outdoor mobility.
	The current report places such research in the context of the NHS Plan, and outlines the role of assistive technology in making independent living easier for older people and people with disabilities. The report describes the wide range of Government-funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology. Relevant projects funded by the European Union are also listed.

Hospital Waiting Times (Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust area were waiting for in-patient treatment for (a) more than 18 months, (b) up to 18 months, (c) up to 15 months and (d) up to 12 months on (i) 31 March 1997 and (ii) 31 May 2001.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		The number of patients waiting more than 18 months, up to 18 months, up to 15 months, and up to 12 months for in-patient treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust on 31 March 1997 and 31 May 2001
		
			   End of March 1997 End of May 2001 
		
		
			 Number waiting over 18 months for in-patient treatment 0 0 
			 Number waiting less than 18 months for in-patient treatment 8,391 8,868 
			 Number waiting less than 15 months for in-patient treatment 8,381 8,676 
			 Number waiting less than 12 months for in-patient treatment 8,287 8,159 
		
	
	Source:
	KH07 quarterly return/monthly returns

Nursing Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what deadline strategic health authorities will have to align continuing NHS health care criteria, described in HSC 2001/015: LAC (2001)18.

Jacqui Smith: It is intended that strategic health authorities will be established from April 2002. Any alignment of continuing care criteria that may be required should be an early priority of the new SHAs. This should build on the request in Health Service Circular 2001/015: Local Authority Circular (2001)18 that existing health authorities ensure that continuing health care policies comply with the new guidance. Any action arising from this review should be commenced from October 2001.

Carers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 343W, concerning carers, for what reasons his Department is revising the Hospital Discharge Workbook; what status the workbook has; and how compliance with its guidance is monitored.

Jacqui Smith: The Hospital Discharge Workbook issued in 1994, needs to be updated to take into account the new policy changes introduced by the NHS Plan, including the use of intermediate care services.
	The workbook is a framework for good practice. Health authorities, in consultation with local authorities, general practitioners and other agencies, should ensure that hospitals and community health services keep discharge procedures under review and should regularly audit performance.

Stroke Patients

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to ensure that all those who suffer a stroke are admitted to a specialist stroke unit;
	(2)  what measures he plans to increase the number of specialist stroke units in hospitals;
	(3)  if he will take steps to improve the quality of stroke aftercare.

John Hutton: The Department published the National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) on 27 March 2001. Its sets out a comprehensive strategy to ensure fair, high quality integrated health and social care and reduce variations in services for older people.
	The NSF addresses a number of specific conditions, which are significant for, although not limited to, older people. It includes a standard on stroke and service models, which should apply to all who need them regardless of age.
	The stroke standard provides for stroke prevention, immediate care, early and continuing rehabilitation, and long-term support as components of a service model for integrated specialist stroke services which will build on current arrangements and be in place in all general hospitals which care for people with stroke by April 2004.

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to give assistance to carers of people with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 2 July 2001, Official Report, columns 30–31W.

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to improve the quality of life of those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Jacqui Smith: The National Service Framework for Older People, launched in March 2001, will, for the first time, set national standards and define service models for older people's health and social care, driving up the quality and reducing the variations of that care.

Doctor Numbers

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors and (b) consultants she estimates are employed full-time in private sector acute hospitals.

John Hutton: Information about the number of doctors and consultants employed in the private sector is not collected centrally.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Palestinian Authority

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to encourage economic development in the Palestinian Authority areas.

Clare Short: The UK is working within the middle east peace process to support the building of the Palestinian nation's ability to generate economic and social development that benefits the poor. DFID's support includes technical assistance to increase Palestinian capacity to negotiate with the Israelis on economic and other issues to build institutions and to improve health, education and water and sanitation services. DFID has recently approved a contribution of £1.5 million to the World bank's emergency employment generation programme to the West bank and Gaza Strip, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from falling further into poverty.
	However, economic and social benefits are being eroded by the continuing conflict. A report by the Office of the United Nations Special Co-ordinator for the period 28 September to 26 November 2000, estimated that confrontations, mobility restrictions, and border closures are costing the Palestinian economy at least US$8 million per day.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Burundi

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on establishing a UN tribunal on Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We are concerned over growing instability in Burundi and continue to press all parties to make progress on implementing the Arusha peace process. The international community is not currently considering the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for Burundi. Issues of accountability arising from the conflict are part of the ongoing Burundi peace process.

Burundi

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made to investigate war crimes and human rights abuses in Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Our emphasis now is on supporting the Arusha peace agreement, which offers the best chance for bringing peace and stability to Burundi. We support fully last week's UN Presidential Statement (SPRST2001/17), which calls for the suspension of hostilities, and reaffirms the international community's concern over continuing human rights abuses and violations of humanitarian law.

Burundi

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he gives to NGOs and human rights groups investigating war crimes and human rights abuses in Rwanda and Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK is playing its role in supporting NGO groups working in Rwanda and Burundi. DFID are providing approximately £500,000 over three years to improve the quality of the judicial system. They also plan to establish a civil society fund to support local NGOs involved in human rights reconciliation activities. Our embassy in Kigali (Rwanda) uses a significant portion of its small grant scheme (worth £200,000) to support human rights NGOs in Rwanda and Burundi.
	In 2001 the UK will provide the International Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda with over £3 million. The tribunal does significant work with victims and witnesses.

Ian Stillman

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the case of Ian Stillman; and what action he has taken on his behalf.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns about Mr. Stillman's welfare at a meeting on 26 June with the Indian High Commissioner and Prime Minister Vajpayee's Principal Secretary. The Indian High Commissioner asked for a written note highlighting our concerns and the Foreign Secretary duly wrote to the High Commissioner on 28 June.
	We will continue to speak to the Indian authorities to ensure that his appeal is heard swiftly.

Israel

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by the UK Government to encourage the Israeli Government to lift the blockades in the Israeli occupied areas of the West Bank and Gaza.

Ben Bradshaw: We have serious concerns with the Israeli policy of closures on political, legal and humanitarian grounds. It is hard to justify the closures, even on the narrow security grounds which Israel presents. The closures radicalise the Palestinian population and fuel violence in the occupied territories. They cannot, therefore, achieve their stated purpose. We continue to urge Israel to lift the closures, bilaterally, in ministerial and official level meetings, and collectively with our EU partners in statements and in the political dialogue established by the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
	Lifting the closures also forms part of the Mitchell Committee recommendations. It is vital that the parties move ahead with full and early implementation of those recommendations.

Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial aid his Department has provided to the Government of Macedonia since 1 January.

Denis MacShane: So far this year Foreign Office funding for projects in Macedonia amounts to £687,000. This money is to fund projects in the fields of stability, conflict prevention and human rights, each with a particular emphasis on inter-ethnic relations. A large proportion of this money was given for the construction of the South-East Europe University in Tetovo, a project sponsored by the OSCE to provide higher education in the Albanian language for the first time in Macedonia.
	HMG are also backing local projects: £56,160 for a disability rights project and £30,000 for a project against institutional violence.
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office funding is in addition to the Department for International Development's pledge of £5 million to provide for technical assistance programmes, over a three-year period, and the European Union's euro 90 million stability assistance programme.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties.

Jack Straw: I have not travelled on London underground in the course of my official duties since my appointment as Foreign Secretary on 8 June.

Shageldy Atakov

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further contact he has had with the Turkmen Foreign Minister concerning the continuing incarceration of Shageldy Atakov; and what representations he has made to the Turkmen authorities concerning the persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan.

Peter Hain: Since the then Minister for Europe's reply to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 11 May 2001, Official Report, column 452W, the US embassy, with the agreement of the Turkmen authorities, offered Mr. Atakov asylum in the US. Mr. Atakov rejected this offer. The UK, together with EU partners, continues regularly to raise the case of Mr. Atakov with the Turkmen authorities. At a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 21 June, the EU Presidency pressed the Turkmen OSCE representative for Mr. Atakov's release. We also seek every opportunity to raise with the Turkmen Foreign Ministry the wider issue of persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan. Our ambassador in Ashgabat will raise the issue when he makes his introductory call on the new Turkmen Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov.

Hezbullah

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the kidnapping of Elchanan Tannenbaum by Hezbullah.

Ben Bradshaw: This Government condemn hostage taking under any circumstances. On 3 May the then Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) and the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), met the families of the reservist Colonel Tannenbaum kidnapped by Hezbullah on 4 October and the three soldiers kidnapped on 7 October. The Government are doing what they can to help and have raised these cases, and continues to do so, with the relevant countries in the region pressing particularly for access to the hostages for the ICRC. We strongly support all efforts to secure the release of all hostages, particularly efforts led by the United Nations Secretary-General.

Green Ministers

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: holding answer 13 July 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 689W.

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had to discuss the impact on the English legal system of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Peter Hain: I have not met the Lord Chancellor to discuss this issue. The Charter of Rights is a political declaration. It is not legally binding. It is addressed to the EU Institutions, and to member states, only to the extent that they are implementing EU law.

War Crimes Tribunal

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the authorities of Republika Srbska regarding bringing Radovan Karadzic and General Mladic to the international War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Primary responsibility for detaining indictees rests with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We take every opportunity to raise this issue with the appropriate authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including in Republika Srbska. They are in no doubt of the importance we attach to co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal. I discussed this issue myself with political leaders when I was in Sarajevo on 12–13 July. I also told Bosnian Serb media that Karadzic and Mladic should be handed over to The Hague. We remain committed to ensuring that all of those indicted for war crimes in former Yugoslavia, including Karadzic and Mladic, are brought to justice.

War Crimes Tribunal

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the failure by NATO forces to arrest Radovan Karadzic and General Mladic.

Denis MacShane: Primary responsibility for detaining indictees rests with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO SFOR troops are mandated to detain any indicted individual they encounter during their operations. To date NATO has detained 25 of those indicted, demonstrating its commitment to support The Hague tribunal's efforts to ensure that all of those indicted for war crimes in former Yugoslavia, including Karadzic and Mladic, are brought to justice. Of the 25 detentions so far, over half have been carried out or supported by UK forces.

WALES

Flooding (North Wales)

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly about flooding in north Wales.

Paul Murphy: I meet the First Secretary regularly to discuss a range of issues, including the flooding in north Wales.
	The Assembly responded urgently to the autumn 2000 floods by offering local authorities additional funding in support of both current and capital costs.
	The Assembly has also commissioned a review of flood defence arrangements in Wales, to determine what steps are needed to improve existing arrangements.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties.

Paul Murphy: In an official capacity I last used the underground when I travelled to the Millennium Dome. It was the most efficient and cost-effective mode of travel. However, as Secretary of State for Wales I have few official engagements in London that require the use of the underground.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Paul Murphy: Since it was established on 1 July 1999, the information technology requirements of the Wales Office have been met by the National Assembly for Wales under the terms of a service level agreement.
	There is no central record of contracts entered into by the former Welsh Office prior to that date. However, one contract in excess of £500,000 has been identified—OSIRIS, a contract under the Private Finance Initiative for provision of networked office automation facilities, for which the requested details are as follows:
	original estimated cost—£20 million (excluding VAT);
	original estimated completion date—this is a service contract of seven years duration which ends in January 2004;
	actual cost—the contract has yet to reach its full term. It is estimated that expenditure by January 2004 will be £55 million (excluding VAT);
	actual completion date—January 2004 (the contract has transferred to the National Assembly for Wales); and
	supplier—Siemens Business Services.
	The cost of the contract is dependent on the number of users of the system. User numbers have risen both as a result of exploiting the opportunities offered by IT for changes to working practices and also by a variety of steps which have been taken to strengthen the democratic process in Wales.

HOME DEPARTMENT

James Ashley

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of the internal police investigations which were established following the shooting of James Ashley.

John Denham: holding answer 10 July, 2001
	I am informed by the Sussex Police Authority that they have reimbursed costs of £6,443 for the investigation led by the former Chief Constable of Hampshire into the conduct of senior Sussex officers; and that Sussex Police have reimbursed Kent Police £313,000 for the costs of the investigations of other aspects of the case. Those costs exclude the costs of Sussex officers involved, and the costs of legal advice for the Police Authority and the force.

James Ashley

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations have been initiated to discover the source of the leak of documents relating to the internal police investigations into the shooting of James Ashley; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: holding answer 10 July 2001
	These documents are the property of the Sussex Police Authority and Chief Constable, and it is for them to consider what investigations should take place. The Police Authority wrote to my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney- General on 25 May about this. He replied on 15 June that investigations into possible criminal offences are a matter for the police.

Nurses

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for granting leave to remain for nurses recruited from abroad to work in the NHS after their initial contract has expired.

Angela Eagle: The Immigration Rules enable nurses recruited from abroad to apply for leave to remain for a period of up to five years once they have obtained full registration with the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and where a work permit has been issued for their employment. The work permit arrangements allow health sector employers to apply for work permits to recruit and retain nurses who are not nationals of a European Economic Area (EEA) state. These applications are granted provided the criteria set by Work Permits (UK) are met. In common with other work permit holders, indefinite leave to remain may be applied for and granted after four years and provided the other conditions specified in the Rules are met.

Extradition Requests

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  on what date he last received an extradition request for Nadhmi Auchi; and for what reasons this request was refused;
	(2)  on how many occasions, and on what dates, since 1 May 1997, the French authorities have contacted (a) his Department and (b) the Metropolitan Police concerning Nadhmi Auchi, with particular reference to Elf Aquitaine.

Bob Ainsworth: For good and obvious reasons, it is our policy and practice not to comment, ahead of arrest, on whether an extradition request for a particular individual has been made or is under consideration. Neither in these matters do we comment on whether and what contacts have taken place with the authorities of other jurisdictions.

Extradition Requests

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extradition requests have been received from the French authorities since 1 May 1997; how many have been acceded to; how many have been refused; and how many are outstanding.

Bob Ainsworth: Reliable statistics are available only from 1 January 1998. Since that date, the United Kingdom has received 22 extradition requests from the Government of France. The table provides for the same period the outcomes of French extradition requests, irrespective of when those were first received.
	
		French extradition requests to UK since 1 January 1998
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 Fugitives surrendered to France 7 
			 Fugitives discharged by courts 4 
			 Withdrawn by French authorities 9 
			 Refused by Secretary of State 0 
			 Requests outstanding 12

Forced Marriages

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken since the publication of the report on forced marriages.

Angela Eagle: The Government will make a full announcement in September of action taken, including reporting progress on the Joint Action Plan published by the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office last August.

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who entered the United Kingdom in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000.

Angela Eagle: The numbers of unaccompanied children who sought asylum in the United Kingdom are as follows:
	
		
			  Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children 
		
		
			 1998 3,037 
			 1999 3,349 
			 2000 2,733

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the countries from which the majority of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children come to the United Kingdom.

Angela Eagle: In 2000, the majority of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children came from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (666), Afghanistan (300), Somalia (177), Sri Lanka (170) and Turkey (153).

Asylum Seekers

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 100W, on asylum seekers, what plans he has to monitor the reasons for non-compliance of asylum applications.

Angela Eagle: No specific arrangements are currently in place systematically to follow up asylum seekers who fail to comply with procedures without providing a reasonable explanation to ascertain reasons underlying their failure to comply. We are, however, always open to looking at our procedures to ensure that any genuine difficulties applicants have in complying with them are minimised.
	The main reasons for non-compliance refusals are failure, without reasonable explanation, to attend on time an interview connected with the asylum claim or to complete and return a statement of evidence form (SEF) within 10 working days. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) does take account of events outside the asylum seeker's control, for example the serious disruption to rail travel experienced as a result of flooding earlier this year.
	We have made some changes in recent months; for example, a PO box number was introduced to act as a single point for the return of all SEFs to IND, and the explanatory note accompanying the SEF has been translated into 33 of the main languages used by asylum seekers. We are monitoring the effect of these changes closely.

Asylum Seekers

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people sought asylum in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and what proportion were refused.

Angela Eagle: Information on asylum applications and initial decisions in Northern Ireland is unavailable. Asylum applications data are not available at regional level except by port of application. The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

David Blunkett: I shall write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Recruitment (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extra police officers have been recruited in (a) Chorley and (b) Lancashire since May 1997.

John Denham: holding answer 3 July 2001
	I am informed by the chief constable that between 1997–98 and 2000–01 453 officers were recruited for the force as a whole, including 33 for the Southern Division of which 11 were deployed to Chorley.
	
		Lancashire Constabulary—number of recruits 1997–98 to 2000–01
		
			 Year Chorley Lancashire Constabulary 
		
		
			 1997–98 2 135 
			 1998–99 4 55 
			 1999–2000 1 99 
			 2000–01(16) 4 164 
		
	
	(16) Of the 164 officers recruited in 2000–01, 83 were Crime Fighting Fund recruits.

Wrongful Convictions

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the working party report on support for prisoners who have been wrongly convicted; to whom he intends to make the report available; and who will respond to the report's findings.

Beverley Hughes: The working party will report to me later this summer. I shall look at the options that it recommends and then decide how to proceed.

Homosexuality

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to decriminalise sexual activity between consenting men.

Keith Bradley: Sexual activity between two consenting adult males in private is not unlawful.
	However, under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, as amended, such activity is not treated as taking place "in private" if it takes place when more than two persons take part or are present; or if it takes place in a lavatory to which the public have or are permitted to have access.
	In "Setting the Boundaries: Reforming the law on sex offences", published in July last year, the Sex Offences Review recommended to the Government that the offences dealing with such activity should be repealed. We are considering the responses to this recommendation along with the others in "Setting the Boundaries".

Drug-related Murders

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of drug-related murders in (a) London, (b) England and (c) the UK in each of the last 10 years; and if he will provide the figures for last year in London, broken down by Metropolitan police district.

John Denham: The available information is for years 1995 to 1997 and financial years 1997–98 to 1999–2000 and covers England and Wales only. This information is shown in the table.
	
		Drug-related murders
		
			   Metropolitan police(17) England England and Wales 
		
		
			 1995 2 13 13 
			 1996 3 14 15 
			 1997 4 13 13 
			 1997–98 3 12 12 
			 1998–99 1 8 8 
			 1999–2000 0 1 1 
		
	
	(17) Excludes City of London where no drug-related murders were recorded.
	The information is held on the Home Office's Homicide Index database. This records drug involvement when (i) either the suspect is reported to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the offence or (ii) the homicide is motivated by the need to obtain drugs, or money to buy drugs or is drug related in some other way, such as rivalry between dealers etc. Data have only been collected since 1995 for each police force area in England and Wales, and include information recorded as at 11 September 2000 when recording was closed for publication purposes. The data do not include homicide where there is no suspect and relate only to those homicides where a suspect is convicted of murder. Cases in the latest year may not have been dealt with by the courts and would not be included.
	These data may contain some error due to the largely subjective interpretation of 'drugs related' and the amount of information available to the police on the motive for a particular homicide, varying from case to case. A current review of the Homicide Index is aiming to increase the accuracy of data on homicide.

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision is expected on changes to section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Angela Eagle: The Government have a clear commitment to freedom of information and are equally committed to the maintenance of the necessary protection for individual scientists and their research institutions from the actions of animal rights extremists. I am considering very carefully how these commitments can best be met. A decision on whether to repeal or amend Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will not be made until later this year.

Sri Lankan Tamils

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan Tamils seeking asylum in the UK have been deported from the UK in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Information is only available on the total number of Sri Lankan nationals who have claimed asylum in the United Kingdom and subsequently been removed. These data are provided in the table. They will include any Sri Lankan Tamils who have been removed, but we are unable to identify this group separately. It will also include Sri Lankans who have been removed to a third country having claimed asylum here. Again, it is not possible to identify this group separately.
	
		
			 Year Removals(18),(19) 
		
		
			 1996 80 
			 1997 95 
			 1998 135 
			 1999 (20)75 
			 2000 (20)90 
		
	
	(18) Asylum seekers removed under port and enforcement procedures.
	(19) Includes 'voluntary' departures.
	(20) Estimated due to data quality issues on the main Immigration Service enforcement database.
	Note:
	Data rounded to the nearest five.

Sri Lankan Tamils

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sir Lankan Tamil asylum seekers are held in (a) prison and (b) detention centres.

Angela Eagle: Our records show that there were 11 Sri Lankan nationals detained in Immigration Service detention centres and 65 in Prison Service establishments at 31 May 2001, the latest date for which information is available. We are unable to say whether any of these persons are Tamils as information of this kind is not held centrally. It is currently not possible to say how many of those persons had claimed asylum.

British Nationality Applications

Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time is for a citizen of Thailand married to a British citizen to apply successfully for British nationality.

Angela Eagle: It is not possible to provide the specific information requested.
	The average waiting times for processing British nationality applications, for persons married to British citizens, is currently 11.5 months.
	In addition there is also a requirement for the applicant to have been resident in the United Kingdom for three years prior to the date of application and not be subject to any time limit under the immigration laws.

Asylum Appeals

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken from receipt of an asylum appeal is by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to (a) the sending of the appeal to the Immigration Appellate Authority, (b) determination of the appeal by an adjudicator and (c) final determination of the appeal by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

Angela Eagle: For the 12 months ending 31 March, data from the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) for those cases where data are available indicate that the average time taken from the receipt of an asylum appeal by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to:
	(a) the receipt of an appeal by the IAA is seven weeks;
	(b) the determination by an adjudicator is 21 weeks;
	(c) the final determination by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal is 43 weeks.

Corruption Legislation

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if new legislation concerning corruption and money laundering will make bribery of a foreign official a crime; and if bribery of a foreign person who is not a foreign Government official will remain legal.

Bob Ainsworth: Our corruption legislation applies to both the public and the private sector and makes it an offence for a person in this country to bribe someone who is an agent for another person. The term "agent" is defined to include someone who is employed by, or acts for, another irrespective of their nationality. Thus it is unlawful in this country to bribe a foreign agent. The definition of the term "agent" also includes a person serving under the Crown or any local or public authority. The planned legislation on corruption will make it clear that the offence extends to a person acting on behalf of a foreign Government.
	It is also proposed to take jurisdiction over United Kingdom nationals who commit corrupt acts abroad.

Animal Testing

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were involved in quality control testing for vaccines produced in the UK in each of the last three years.

Angela Eagle: The number of animals involved in pharmaceutical quality control in the United Kingdom for each of the last three years for which figures are available, is given in Table 10A in each of the publications 'Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain' and 'Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Northern Ireland', copies of which are in the Library. It is not possible to identify vaccines separately from other pharmaceutical products. No such testing was performed in Northern Ireland in 1997 or 1999.

Feltham Young Offenders Prison

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken in each of the last five years to improve (a) education, (b) training, (c) employment and (d) recreation opportunities for inmates at Feltham Young Offenders Prison.

Beverley Hughes: As this information will take more time to collect than that allowed for an answer to a parliamentary question, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Police Officers (Retirement)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the scheme for retirement of police officers on health grounds.

John Denham: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 4 July 2001, Official Report, column 202W.

Fire Risk Categorisation

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will publish Her Majesty's Fire Services Inspectorate's comments on the fire risk categorisation survey which have been made available to members of the West Midlands Fire and Civil Defence Authority;
	(2)  what the result was of the West Midlands Fire Service's recent fire risk category survey in Aldridge and Bloxwich; which buildings' risk categorisation is (a) B and (b) C; which buildings in each category have been (i) upgraded and (ii) downgraded by the survey; and what proportion these are of the total.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply
	Responsibility for providing fire services rests locally with the fire authority. The authority cannot provide a building by building analysis of fire risk categorisation because risk categories are expressed in terms of the "predominant risk" of an area. The methodology used has been validated by HM Inspector of Fire Services in order to ensure consistency across the area and with other fire authorities.

Women Prisoners

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restructure the prison estate to accommodate the number of women being given custodial sentences and those people being detained for reasons of immigration; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The use of the prison estate is kept under constant review by the Prison Service Management Board and I have endorsed their decision to change the function of Downview male closed prison to become a female closed prison; to remove immigration detainees from Rochester, making the whole of that establishment a young offender institution; and for Dover young offender institution to become an establishment dedicated to immigration detainees.

Leave to Remain

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to replace the current application forms for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Angela Eagle: The current application forms are valid for use only until 14 October 2001. Revised forms will be prescribed before then and should be available by the end of September. From the time they are issued until 14 October 2001, applications may be made on either the newly prescribed forms or the present versions. Only the new forms may be used for applications made on or after 15 October 2001. Copies will be placed in the Library when they are available.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Home Education

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many infant children had approval for home education in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: We do not collect centrally the data requested.
	Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on parents to ensure that a child of compulsory school age receives education suitable to his or her age, ability, aptitude and any special educational need the child may have. Parents can fulfil this duty either by their child attending school regularly or otherwise. Some parents elect to educate their children at home. Local education authorities have a duty to monitor the suitability of the education being received by a home educated child by virtue of section 437 (1) of the 1996 Act and can issue a School Attendance Order if they are not satisfied that a child is receiving suitable education.

Free School Meals

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the percentage of children entitled to free school meals is in (a) schools previously designated as specialist schools, (b) schools included in the latest annual list of specialist schools and (c) all other maintained secondary schools.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 11 July 2001
	The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals -- January 2000
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Schools designated as specialist as at 30 September 2000 14.6 
			 Schools newly designated as specialist as at 30 September 2001 17.6 
			 Maintained secondary schools not designated as specialist schools 16.9

Free School Meals

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will extend free school meals to those on Working Families Tax Credit; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: My Department has no such plans.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by her Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by her Department.

John Healey: The information that can be provided without disproportionate cost is contained in the table:
	
		
			  Contract  Contract Estimated cost (£) Estimated completion date Actual cost (£) Actual completion date 
		
		
			 Work permits system hardware Data General 600,000 1992 600,000 1992 
			   
			 Census of employment processing system Andersens 3,900,000 February 1994 3,920,000 March 1994 
			   
			 Personnel system Data General UK 750,00 April 1997 760,000 April 1997 
			   
			 Replacement accounting system WS Atkins Planning and Management Consultants 500,000 April 1999 500,000 April 1999 
			   
			 Supply and Installation of Network Cabling Century Electrical Contractors 525,000 October 1999 525,000 October 1999 
			   
			 Provision of initial IT infrastructure for the Learning and Skills Council ICL 890,000 February 2001 985,000 February 2001 
			   
			 The Government Catalogue, framework contract for ICT goods and related services EDS 15,000,000 October 2001 — — 
			   
			 On-line training system supply and maintenance NETG 748,000 March 2002 — — 
			   
			 Mainframe leasing, system supply & contract management services ICL 24,000,000 March 2002 — — 
			   
			 Software applications development and maintenance service FI Group 33,000,000 March 2002 — — 
			   
			 Framework contract for supply of software to DfEE Trustmarque Solutions 2,500,000 July 2002 — — 
			   
			 Framework contract for supply of personal computers etc. Dell Computer Corporation 15,000,000 November 2002 — — 
			   
			 Framework contract for Electronic publishing services CTPi 778,000 February 2003 — —

Universities (Public-Private Partnerships)

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will list those universities that have agreed public-private partnerships to provide students with residential accommodation;
	(2)  if those universities which have agreed public- private partnerships to provide students with residential accommodation have retained the ability to control rents for that accommodation.

Margaret Hodge: Universities are independent, self-governing bodies which make their own decisions about entering into public-private partnerships. They also make their own decisions on the conditions under which such partnerships exist. The Government do not hold records of these arrangements.

Teachers' Pay

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the forecast rise in teachers' pay will be for 2003–04 in (a) real and (b) cash terms.

Stephen Timms: No such forecast has been made. The level of teachers' pay in 2003–04 will be subject to recommendation by the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) and consultation before a decision is reached. It will need to take account of affordability, recruitment and retention, and other factors that will apply at the time.

Child Care (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new childminder places have been set up in Coventry through the early years development programme and the child care partnerships.

Stephen Timms: Since April 1999 Coventry early years development and child care partnership has reported the creation of 948 new childminder places in the Coventry area.

Funding (Suffolk)

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been spent per head on (a) primary and (b) secondary education in (i) the county of Suffolk, excluding Ipswich and (ii) the town of Ipswich in the last 12 months.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not collected centrally: our information relates to local education authority areas, such as Suffolk, rather than districts within them.

Funding (Suffolk)

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what additional resources her Department will provide for (a) Suffolk county council and (b) Ipswich for education in the next financial year.

Stephen Timms: Most funding for education in the next financial year will not be known until the autumn when the Local Government Finance Settlement will be announced. Listed are the latest funding allocations for education in Suffolk local education authority for the current financial year. The figures are provisional estimates, as final decisions on some funding allocations have yet to be finalised. Allocations can only be given at local education authority level.
	
		
			 2001–02 £ million 
		
		
			 SSA 227.3 
			 Grants 27.0 
			 Capital 20.8 
		
	
	The following revenue grants have been included: DfES contributions to the Standards Fund; Class Size Reduction Grant, School Standards Grant, Education Budget Support Grant and Nursery Education Grant for three-year-olds.

School Admissions

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reform mainstream schools admissions policy in England.

Stephen Timms: We are considering changes to the school admissions framework and plan to consult on detailed proposals.

School Sixth Forms

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if the guarantee that school sixth form funding will be maintained in real terms, once learning and skills councils take responsibility for them, will still apply if pupil numbers fall.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 16 July 2001
	Through our Real Terms Guarantee, we are ensuring that no sixth form can lose compared to its 2000–01 funding levels, provided numbers are maintained. For sixth forms that are reducing in size, the guarantee will be maintained but at a proportionately reduced level. The Learning and Skills Council will use a standard per capita figure for all pupil increases or decreases. The size of the initial per capita adjustment applying in 2002–03 will be published by the LSC in September.

Further Education Lecturers

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she plans to take in respect of further education colleges which do not award annual pay increases to silver book contract lecturers.

Margaret Hodge: Further Education colleges are self-governing institutions. The implementation of annual pay awards is a matter for employers and their staff, and is not a matter on which it is appropriate for the Government to intervene. Nevertheless, I can reiterate the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Lifelong Learning on 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 388W, that the additional moneys allocated to FE colleges under the Teaching Pay Initiative are intended to be fairly distributed among all eligible staff.

Standard Spending Assessment (Bedfordshire)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average annual standard spending assessment is per pupil for each (a) primary school and (b) secondary school pupil in England; and what the comparable figures for pupils in Bedfordshire are for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The table shows for 2001–02 the Education SSA per primary and secondary pupil for England and Bedfordshire.
	
		£ 
		
			 SSA England Bedfordshire 
		
		
			 Primary per pupil 2,590 2,520 
			 Secondary per pupil 3,310 3,240

Literacy and Numeracy Tests

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 11-year-olds achieved level 4 or above in the key stage 2 tests for (a) literacy and (b) numeracy in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001.

Stephen Timms: The proportion of 11-year-olds who achieved Level 4 or above in the Key Stage 2 tests in 2000 in (a) English was 75 per cent. and (b) mathematics was 72 per cent. Results for 2001 are not yet available. A Press Notice will be released in mid-September announcing national results for 2001.

DEFENCE

Army Training and Recruiting Agency

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Key Targets for the chief executive of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency for the financial year 2001–02 are.

Adam Ingram: The Chief Executive of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency has been set the following Key Targets for FY 2001–02.
	Key Targets 1
	To meet the Army's requirement from the ATRA for 575 trained mainstream officers available to take up their first appointment within a permissible variance of 2 per cent. The 2000–01 performance was an output of 550.
	Key Targets 2
	To meet the Army's requirement from the ATRA for 9,442 soldiers available to take up their first appointment within a permissible variance of 5 per cent. The 2000–01 performance was an output of 8,738.
	Key Targets 3
	To achieve a first time pass rate of 98 per cent. for all officers made available to undergo career or professional development training, while maintaining the required standard and within pre-set training times. The 2000–01 performance was a first time pass rate of 97 per cent.
	Key Targets 4
	To achieve a 96 per cent. first time pass rate for all soldiers made available to undergo career or professional development training, while maintaining the required standard and within pre-set training times. The 2000–01 performance was a first time pass rate of 95 per cent.
	Key Targets 5
	To achieve an overall 3 per cent. improvement in the efficiency of ATRA operations. The 2000–01 performance was an input efficiency achievement of 3.4 per cent.

Low-flying Aircraft

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the pattern of military low-flying activity in the United Kingdom during the training year 2000–01.

Lewis Moonie: The ability to fly fast and low continues to be an essential skill in our armoury of tactics. Training for aircrew to achieve and maintain these skills is vital.
	The amount of low-flying training carried out in the UK Low Flying System during the training year April 2000 to March 2001 was the minimum necessary for aircrew to reach and maintain these skills. Hours booked for low-flying training during this period amounted to a small decrease (of 66 hours, or less than 1 per cent.) compared to the previous training year. Since detailed records of hours booked began in 1995, the total overall has reduced by over 36 per cent. (24,360 hours) with fixed wing activity showing the greatest reduction.
	The distribution of low-flying training across the UK has not changed significantly. We continue to try and spread it as widely as practicable, but for a variety of operational, geographical and climatic constraints some parts of the country will see more than others.
	I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper giving a detailed account of low-flying training in the UK Low-flying System for the period April 2000 to March 2001.
	Further copies of the paper can be obtained from the following address:
	Directorate of Air Staff
	Ministry of Defence
	Room 662
	Metropole Building
	Northumberland Avenue
	London WC2N 5BL.

Duke of York's Royal Military School

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Key Targets for the chief executive of the Duke of York's Royal Military School for the financial year 2001–02 are.

Lewis Moonie: The chief executive of the Duke of York's Military school has been set the following Key Targets for FY 2001–02.
	Key Targets 1
	To achieve 93.5 per cent. of 15 year old pupils gaining five or more passes graded A* to C at GCSE.
	Key Targets 2
	To achieve 22.5 per cent. of GCSE passes at grades A* or A.
	Key Targets 3
	To achieve an average GCSE points score per 15 year old pupil of 53.4.
	Key Targets 4
	To achieve an average of GCE points score per candidate of 20.6.
	Key Targets 5
	To achieve 37.4 per cent. of GCE passes at grades A or B.
	Key Targets 6
	To achieve a pupil per capita cost of no more than £12,798.
	Key Targets 7
	To generate income of at least £550,000.
	Key Targets 8
	To achieve at least 290 applications for September 2001 intake.

Bloody Sunday Inquiry

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the police investigation into the destruction of rifles pertinent to the Bloody Sunday inquiry.

Geoff Hoon: The police investigation into the unauthorised destruction of possible Bloody Sunday rifles announced in my answer of 17 February 2000, Official Report, column 648W, was completed in April 2001. The Bloody Sunday inquiry has been fully informed of the progress of the investigation and asked, at the outset, that the scope of the investigation be widened to establish the histories and whereabouts of the 29 weapons originally examined by the Widgery inquiry in 1972.
	The police investigation revealed, for the first time, that the partial serial numbers provided by the Bloody Sunday inquiry generate 60 possible permutations for the 29 weapons originally sought by the inquiry. The report therefore reveals that the information on which my answer of 17 February 2000 was based, although provided in good faith, was inaccurate and incomplete.
	By establishing detailed audit trails for all 60 weapons, the police have been able to recover 14 weapons and confirmed that 29 have been destroyed. The police were unable to confirm the existence or whereabouts of the remaining 17 weapons, some of which have been sold, complete or in parts. Others may have either been destroyed prior to the creation of the computer record or manufactured and delivered to customers overseas.
	The self-loading rifle (SLR) was declared obsolete in November 1997. A routine disposal programme involving the sale and destruction of the weapons was in progress from January 1998, although some surplus rifles were disposed of prior to this date. At the time of the inquiry's request the disposal programme was reducing stock by 4,000 weapons a month with the aim of completing disposal by April 2000. By the end of January 2000 approximately 116,000 SLRs had been disposed of out of a total of 144,000.
	The dates on which weapons that "match" the partial serial numbers provided by the Bloody Sunday inquiry were destroyed are as follows:
	1995 unknown date (three rifles)
	17 September 1997
	21 January 1998
	3 February 1998
	12 February 1998
	7 April 1998
	27 April 1998 (two rifles)
	2 June 1998 (two rifles)
	25 June 1998
	6 August 1998
	13 August 1998
	23 September 1998
	29 October 1998
	13 January 1999 (two rifles)
	17 February 1999
	23 February 1999
	24 March 1999
	22 September 1999 (two rifles)
	23 November 1999 (two rifles)
	26 January 2000
	27 January 2000 (two rifles).
	By September 1999, when the inquiry made a formal request for weapons and provided partial serial numbers, the Ministry of Defence held six weapons but was able to identify only five as Bloody Sunday "possible". Two of these weapons identified as Bloody Sunday weapons, together with a third weapon that had not been identified, were destroyed in a routine disposal programme on 26 and 27 January 2000. The destruction only came to light after the event when the computer database was updated. My answer of 17 February 2000 incorrectly stated the dates at which the computer record was updated, rather than the actual dates of destruction.
	The police report concluded that the weapons were destroyed as a result of a combination of factors including inaccurate computer records, duplicated serial numbers and mistakes resulting from human error rather than an overt criminal act. Based on the police report, I am satisfied that there was no conspiracy to destroy evidence sought by the inquiry. The matter has now been referred to the chain of command to implement management improvements designed to prevent a recurrence and to determine whether any internal disciplinary action needs to be taken.
	The evidence contained in the report suggests that the destroyed rifles would have been of little value to the inquiry due to duplicated serial numbers and the lack of certainty that any individual weapon was fired on Bloody Sunday. However, the police report indicates a strong possibility that a L42A1 7.62mm sniper rifle conversion can be matched to a Bloody Sunday weapon. The whereabouts of this weapon were unknown when the report was produced, but it has now been recovered by the MDP. The police investigation also confirmed that it is not possible to determine whether any rifles have retained their original barrels as large numbers of rifles were re-barrelled during the 30 or so years that the weapons remained in operational service. Detailed records were not kept to record whether a rifle had been re-barelled, or how many times this may have occurred.
	The Bloody Sunday inquiry will reach its own view as to the potential forensic value of the weapons.

Nuclear Weapons (Accidents)

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances of each of the accidents involving UK nuclear weapons referred to in the answer given by the then Minister for the Armed Forces, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames) on 16 July 1996, Official Report, columns 484–85W.

Geoff Hoon: We have a good record on the safety and security of our nuclear weapons and continue to place the highest importance on work in this area. I have today placed in the Library of both Houses a table which sets out the circumstances of each of the seven accidents concerned. The information it contains is drawn from records spanning a period of 40 years and confirms that:
	There has never been a weapons accident resulting in the release of radioactive material;
	there has never been damage to a weapon which risked a radioactive leak or an explosion;
	there has never been a nuclear weapon lost.
	In addition to the three road traffic accidents referred to in the table, our research has identified one other, similar, event which took place in 1960 in Lincolnshire. There is no damage to the weapon involved. Since this event pre-dates current reporting system it is unclear whether, in today's terms, it would be categorised as an accident.
	The Government remain committed to greater openness on nuclear issues wherever possible. A key responsibility, however, must be to protect the safety and operational security of our nuclear forces and the people who support them. The practice of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons at any particular place and at any particular time will therefore continue to be a cornerstone of the Government's policy on nuclear weapons issues.

Depleted Uranium

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the levels of depleted uranium, monitored in Kosovo and Serbia, arising from the use of allied depleted uranium munitions.

Lewis Moonie: On 21 June, the Ministry of Defence published a detailed paper entitled: 'Report of a Reconnaissance Visit to Develop an Enhanced Environmental Monitoring Programme in the UK Sector in Kosovo', which discusses the findings of a MOD reconnaissance team visit to Kosovo from 19–23 January to plan work, conduct field measurements and take preliminary samples. The field measurements supported the view that the risks from DU to our troops, and the population, are low. Analysis of some soil samples was delayed, as a result of potential asbestos contamination, however the information will be available for publication in the next few weeks. A copy of the team's report is available on the MOD internet website: www.mod.uk/ index.php3?page=2739 and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
	The full, enhanced environment surveillance programme, announced on 9 January, is expected to take place in August. The programme will be conducted in accordance with a protocol which is currently under expert and public consultation. That consultation period ends on 20 July. Results from the programme will be published accordingly.

Depleted Uranium

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the depleted uranium-based 'Charm 3' ammunition referred to the letter from the then Minister for the Armed the Forces, the hon. Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar), of 26 February.

Lewis Moonie: Yes. As explained in the letter from the then Minister for the Armed Forces dated 26 February, D/Min(AF)/JS PQ 0299/01/Y, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, we have begun to conduct an analysis of the composition of the Charm 3 120mm DU-based anti-tank ammunition round using independent laboratories to confirm the data provided by the manufacturer (and published by the Department on 7 February 2001, Official Report, column 521W) about DU contamination by other radioactive materials. The works is currently incomplete owing to technical difficulties.

Explosives (River Tamar)

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has undertaken into the presence of explosives on the bed of the River Tamar, with particular reference to the risks to the local population; if he will publish the outcome of the research; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: A rigorous and extensive research, survey and clearance operation was initially undertaken between 1993 and 1997 to confirm, as far as reasonably practicable, the removal of explosives from the Bull Point land area and adjacent River Tamar. Subsequently, further survey and clearance operations were conducted, using experts in the field and state of the art technology, in order to establish safe working conditions as a prerequisite to the dredging for the Remote Ammunitioning Facility Tamar (RAFT).
	The explosive items have remained submerged and incident free for in excess of 50 years. All the clearance operations conducted to date have been completed without incident, including riverbed blasting in support of RAFT.
	Presentations on the clearances and finds have been made to local interest groups, local government representatives and the local press and media over the last 12 months. The issue has also been the subject of public meetings. Information, including research documents, has been displayed at HM Naval Base open days. A copy of the research documents will be placed in the Library of the House.

Throckmorton Airfield

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his future plans for Throckmorton airfield.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 April 2001, Official Report, column 89W. The main site, known as DERA Pershore, was transferred on 1 July 2001 to QinetiQ, a wholly Government owned plc formed from 75 per cent. of the former DERA Trading Fund. QinetiQ will be responsible for continuing the Ministry of Defence related uses of the site, as well as taking forward any regeneration of the area in concert with the local and regional authorities.
	The part of the airfield used in helping to deal with the consequences of foot and mouth disease is in the process of being transferred to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Porton Down

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the advice of the Medical Research Council on the feasibility of an epidemiological study on the effect of research on service volunteers at Porton Down; what his response was to the advice; and if he has plans to establish an independent inquiry.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 28 June and 13 July 2001, Official Report, columns 133W and 622W respectively. Any resultant epidemiology study will be carried out independently of the Ministry of Defence. On 1 May I announced that the Department would conduct an historical survey of the Porton Volunteer Trials, and that this would be supervised by Professor Ian Kennedy of University College London. In addition, an investigation by the Wiltshire police of the Porton Down volunteer programme from 1939 to 1989 is under way. There are no plans for a further independent inquiry.

Porton Down

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  on what dates the Ethical subgroup of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee Medical Committee scrutinised the experiment in 1989 in which service personnel were exposed to sarin nerve gas at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down; and if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the committee which relate to the discussion of this experiment;
	(2)  on what dates the Ethical subgroup of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee Medical Committee scrutinised the experiment at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, in November 1983, in which eight service personnel were exposed to sarin nerve gas; and if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes and other papers of the committee which relate to the discussion of this experiment.

Lewis Moonie: I shall write to the hon. Member and copies of my letters will be placed in the Library of the House.

Aberporth

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to ensure the continuation of the apprenticeship scheme at QinetiQ, Aberporth after 2004.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 5W.

Aberporth

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the training budget is being transferred from DRE Aberporth to his Department; and what the timetable for the transfer is.

Lewis Moonie: No transfer of funding for apprentice training from QinetiQ, Aberporth to the Ministry of Defence is taking place.

Kenya

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British Army stopped using live ammunition at the Dol Dol range.

Adam Ingram: We do not currently believe that the British Army has ever fired live ammunition at the Dol Dol training area but are examining the records to make sure that this is the case. The British Army uses Dol Dol for low level "dry" (ie without live ammunition) training only.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last travelled on the London Underground in the course of his official duties.

Lewis Moonie: In order to ensure effective use of his time, by allowing him to work on official papers, my right hon. Friend uses the Government Car Service when travelling in London.

Defence Equipment Demonstrations

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs were incurred by his Department in providing armed service personnel support to defence equipment demonstrations in the last 12 months.

Lewis Moonie: Within the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Export Services Organisation is responsible for co-ordinating Government support to industry in promoting legitimate defence exports with other parts of MOD assisting as required.
	No central record is kept of costs incurred for the provision of service personnel support to defence equipment demonstrations. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The cost of MOD support for defence exports is however far outweighed by the financial benefits to the Department.

Defence Export Services Organisation

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the net operating costs of DESO and related support functions were for the financial years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01.

Lewis Moonie: The net operating costs of the Defence Export Services Organisation for each of the financial years requested were as follows:
	
		
			 Year £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 14.380 
			 1998–99 16.010 
			 1999–2000 13.735 
			 2000–01 12.360 
		
	
	These net operating costs are more than offset by benefits to the Defence budget, estimated at around £400 million a year, arising from DESO's activities. These benefits include a reduction in overhead costs for UK Procurement as a result of export orders, and receipts from Commercial Exploitation Levy and disposal of surplus Ministry of Defence equipment.

Portsmouth Harbour

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place regarding the dredging of Portsmouth Harbour in relation to the Future Aircraft Carrier procurement project; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 12 July 2001
	As part of the Future Aircraft Carrier Assessment phase, contractors have visited several naval bases and port facilities to analyse their suitability for berthing and basing of the vessels. One of the issues addressed has been access and the requirement, if any, for dredging. Discussions to date have only been of an informal nature and no decisions have yet been made on berthing or basing options for the carriers and any potential dredging requirements. Further studies, involving environmental impact assessments, will take place during the next stage of assessment. The relevant authorities will be consulted on the results, as required.

Nuclear Tests

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests have been conducted on (a) military service personnel from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth forces in Australia, in respect of exposure to radiation from the detonation of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, since 1971, and (b) children in (i) Hong Kong and (ii) the United Kingdom, in respect of the take up of radiation into body parts; and if he will make a statement on recent representations made to the Government on radiological tests.

Lewis Moonie: No tests have been conducted on military service personnel from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth forces in Australia since 1971 in respect of exposure to radiation from the detonation of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere.
	Tests conducted on children in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, in respect of the take up of radiation into body parts and recent representations made to the Government on radiological tests, are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

Pay (Locally Engaged Overseas Staff)

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which British overseas defence establishments locally engaged staff are paid below local poverty datum lines; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Defence employs over 13,000 locally engaged civilian staff around the world. Their conditions of service, including pay levels, are set in accordance with the terms of the discretionary authority conferred by the Treasury on Departments. This ensures that pay levels are established by reference to local best practice. Periodic pay reviews must be informed by local surveys of comparable employers thus ensuring that MOD remuneration remains competitive. Locally engaged staff play a vital role in support of the British armed forces overseas and it is in the MOD's interests to ensure that it is able to recruit and retain adequate numbers of the right calibre.

Defence Spending

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the level of defence spending is forecast to be as a proportion of gross domestic product in 2003–04.

Adam Ingram: The settlement for defence announced in the Spending Review last year planned for the first sustained growth in defence expenditure for more than a decade. In 2003–04 defence expenditure is expected to represent 2.3 per cent. of GDP.

Pardons

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the granting of pardons to those who were executed for cowardice during the First World War.

Lewis Moonie: The question of granting pardons to those executed during the First World War, mostly for desertion, was the subject of a detailed review by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, then Minister of State for the Armed Forces. The legal difficulties in considering pardons, particularly the lack of evidence available today, were explained in his statement to this House on 24 July 1998 , Official Report, columns 1372–86.
	Those executed have been publicly recognised as victims of a terrible war and their commemoration by the new memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum is particularly fitting.

Air Group Personnel

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated air group personnel is of each CVF.

Geoff Hoon: At this stage in the procurement of CVF, the Future Joint Combat Aircraft and Future Organic Airborne Early Warning capability, the estimated size of the air group personnel to be embarked on the CVF has yet to be determined. The actual composition of the air group will depend on the number and the type of aircraft embarked and is the subject of on-going work.

Spearfish

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Spearfish torpedo will be in service with fleet submarines.

Lewis Moonie: The Spearfish torpedo entered Royal Navy service during 1994.

Apache Helicopters

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Apache helicopters will be in service by the end of (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003.

Lewis Moonie: The Apache attack helicopter entered service with the Army on 16 January 2001. The number of helicopters delivered by the end of this and the following two years will be:
	2001: 18
	2002: 41
	2003: 64.

Apache Helicopters

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army pilots are qualified to fly the Apache helicopter.

Adam Ingram: The Army currently has 17 pilots trained to fly various versions of the Apache helicopter. Of these 17 pilots, two are currently on exchange tours with the US Army, two are on test flying duties and 13 are undergoing further training on the UK Apache at the School of Army Aviation at Middle Wallop.

Apache Helicopters

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Army's Apache helicopters will become operationally available.

Lewis Moonie: The Army expects to have an initial operating capability, consisting of the first operational Apache squadron, in August 2004. A full task force capability based on an attack helicopter regiment is planned for early 2005.

Meteor

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Meteor programme and its development contract.

Lewis Moonie: The UK, France and Sweden signed the Meteor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Paris Air Show. We very much hope that the remaining three partner nations will sign the MOU by the end of September 2001. On that basis, we plan to place a demonstration and manufacture contract for Meteor by the end of 2001, subject to agreeing satisfactory terms with Matra BAe Dynamics, the Prime Contractor.

Meteor

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects all partner nations to sign the memoranda of understanding on the A400M and the Meteor programme.

Lewis Moonie: We very much hope that all partner nations will have signed the memorandum of understanding by the end of September 2001.

C130

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to begin retiring the RAF's C130Ks from service.

Adam Ingram: Under existing plans, the RAF Hercules C130K long-term fleet will be retired from service towards the end of this decade.

C130

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the RAF's inventory is of C130 aircraft; and how many of them are operationally available.

Adam Ingram: The RAF has a fleet of 57 Hercules C130 aircraft. Of these, 49 are allocated to the operating fleet and are available to operational commanders within specified time scales.

HMS Ocean

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of HMS Ocean.

Adam Ingram: The cost of the contract to design and build HMS Ocean was £150.6 million.

Tomahawk

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which fleet submarines have been given Tomahawk capability; which submarines are scheduled to receive this capability; and when the conversion work will take place.

Adam Ingram: It is planned the two Swiftsure class, seven Trafalgar class and all of the Astute class submarines will receive the Tomahawk capability.
	HMS Splendid and HMS Triumph are now Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) capable, and HMS Trafalgar will be declared TLAM capable following trials later this summer. Work to equip HMS Spartan, HMS Trenchant and HMS Turbulent with TLAM capability is currently under way as part of their major upkeep periods. It is currently planned that the remaining three submarines—HMS Talent, HMS Tireless and HMS Torbay—will become TLAM capable by about 2006.
	The Astute class submarines will be built Tomahawk capable. HMS Astute, the first submarine of this new class, is due to enter service from 2005.

ASRAAM

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects ASRAAM to enter into service with the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Matra BAe Dynamics Ltd., the prime contractor for ASRAAM, encountered a number of technical problems which meant that the in service date of April 2001 was not met. We are working with the company to agree a programme which will bring the missile up to an acceptable standard. When we agree a revised programme we will set a new date for ASRAAM's entry into service. Until that time, Tornado F3, Harrier GR7 and Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft will continue to have an effective short-range air to air capability using Sidewinder missiles.

Harrier GR7

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF pilots have been trained to fly Harrier GR7 for carrier operations.

Adam Ingram: As of today, there are 28 front-line RAF Harrier GR7 pilots trained and qualified for carrier operations. Available records suggest that since the Harrier GR7 began carrier operations in 1997, approximately 76 GR7 pilots have been trained in the role.

MR(TRIGAT)

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings will accrue to the defence budget following the cancellation of the MR(TRIGAT) programme.

Lewis Moonie: There are no savings accrued from our decision not to proceed with the industrialisation and production phase of the MR(TRIGAT) programme. The funding allocated to MR(TRIGAT) has been transferred to the Infantry Anti-Tank Guided Weapons programme, which will ensure that future capabilities in this area are fully met.

Astute Class Submarines

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the entry into service date is of each of the Astute class submarines.

Lewis Moonie: The first Astute class submarine is due to enter into service in June 2005. The remaining two submarines of the class currently on order will follow at approximately two-year intervals.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Lewis Moonie: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

SCOTLAND

Oil Fabrication

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the future for oil fabrication in Scotland.

Helen Liddell: The Government and the oil and gas industry continue to work together through PILOT to ensure that Scotland and the UK remains a centre of profitable activity for oil and gas for many years to come.

Rosyth

Rachel Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the First Minister and the Transport Minister to discuss progress on the Rosyth ferry port development.

George Foulkes: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the First Minister and the Transport Minister to discuss a wide range of issues.
	This initiative is a welcome development for business and industry.

Brownfield Sites (Lanarkshire)

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to discuss the regeneration of Lanarkshire's brown field sites with the First Minister.

George Foulkes: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the First Minister on a wide range of issues including the commitment of this Government to maintaining a stable and successful economy in Scotland, as in the whole of the UK, which provides a sound base for economic development and regeneration projects and allows everyone to share in the nation's rising prosperity.

Scottish Ambassador

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the First Minister on the Scottish Executive's proposals to appoint a Scottish Ambassador.

Helen Liddell: I speak to the First Minister regularly on a wide range of subjects. There are no proposals for the Scottish Executive to appoint a Scottish Ambassador.

Winter Fuel Payments

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pensioners in Scotland she estimates will receive payments under the Winter Fuel Payments scheme next winter.

George Foulkes: We estimate that around one million people aged 60 or over will benefit from the scheme in Scotland. This includes around 15,750 people in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency.

Air Links

Rosemary McKenna: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps she is taking to seek to improve the regulation of air links to and from Scotland.

Helen Liddell: The European Commission recently published proposals to revise the current regulation on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports. This proposal emphasises the need for member states to analyse the capacity situation at congested airports for which they are responsible and to consider ways and means of resolving the problems on a regular basis.
	The Government will produce a White Paper next year which will bring together UK airports policy, looking 30 years ahead, and new policies on civil aviation. We published a UK-wide consultation document in November 2000 and a Scottish regional consultation will follow towards the end of this year. I am actively involved in this process to ensure that Scottish interests are fully represented.

Anti-drugs Strategy

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement about new proposals to seize the assets of convicted drug dealers.

Frank Doran: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Home Department on measures to confiscate the assets of convicted drug dealers.

George Foulkes: The Scotland Office, the Home Office and the Scottish Executive are working closely together on the Proceeds of Crime Bill, which will strengthen the law and procedures for seizing the assets of drug dealers and other criminals.

Anti-drugs Strategy

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the anti-drugs strategy in Scotland.

George Foulkes: The Government and the Scottish Executive are working in partnership to ensure that misuse of drugs is tackled effectively in Scotland and that efforts are co-ordinated.
	Progress made in Scotland towards reaching the targets set out in the UK anti-drugs strategy will be included in the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's Report for 2000–01 which is expected to be published shortly.

NHS Funding

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received from the Scottish Executive for her to make representations to the Treasury for additional money for the NHS in Scotland.

George Foulkes: The Scottish Executive is able to determine its own spending priorities within its overall spending allocation.
	The 2000 spending review provided the Scottish Executive with significant additions to its overall budget and provided for overall spending some £3.4 billion higher by 2003–04 compared to 2000–01, giving substantial scope for investment in modern public services, including health services. This year's Budget provided an additional £200 million over three years.

Tourism

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the British Tourist Authority on the effects of foot and mouth disease on the Scottish tourist industry.

George Foulkes: I met senior representatives of the British Tourist Authority some weeks ago to discuss a range of issues on how best to promote tourism to Scotland. I am satisfied that Scotland will benefit both from the support from the Scottish Executive and the extra £14.2 million funding announced by the DCMS to help overseas recovery action.

Tourism

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the British Tourist Authority in encouraging overseas tourists to visit Scotland.

George Foulkes: The STB and the BTA have been working together successfully for many years to promote Scotland and the whole of the UK as an attractive tourist destination. They are continuing to work towards achieving the maximum benefit for Scotland from the work which they are doing around the world.
	I am convinced that there is an advantage for Scotland to be sold along with the rest of the UK. This is particularly true from long haul markets where a visit to Scotland will almost certainly be part of a tour of Britain, where Scotland could easily be left out if it is not clearly visible among the other choices.

Tourism

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she next plans to meet the British Tourist Authority to discuss the attractions which Scotland offers in culture, historical sites and industrial archaeology.

George Foulkes: I am in regular contact with both the BTA and visitscotland to discuss a range of issues in promoting Scottish tourism. I am confident that work is being undertaken to ensure that Scotland achieves the maximum benefit from the work which both organisations are doing around the world.

Energy Policy

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will set out the Government's targets for the proportion of electricity to be produced by nuclear, fossil and renewable energies in the next 20 years; and what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive and Cabinet colleagues on this matter.

George Foulkes: I have regular discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers and Government colleagues on a wide range of issues. The Government have set a target for the UK of 10 per cent. for the proportion of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2010. Electricity generation in Scotland already exceeds this level and the Scottish Renewable Obligations will bring the figure to 13 per cent. by 2003. The target will then be to increase use of renewable energy in Scotland by a further 5 per cent. to 18 per cent. by 2010.

Foot and Mouth

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister on the foot and mouth epidemic; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: The First Minister and I meet regularly to discuss a whole range of issues including the handling of the foot and mouth outbreak in Scotland.

Assisted Area Status (Arbroath)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations she has made to the EU and the Department of Trade and Industry concerning assisted area status for Arbroath.

George Foulkes: The European Commission, which has sole competence in this area, approved the UK's Assisted Areas map on 26 July 2000. The approved map will apply until December 2006. The Scotland Office and the Scottish Executive worked closely with the Department of Trade and Industry in discussion with the Commission to secure the best possible deal for Scotland and the UK as a whole. There are no plans to review the Assisted Areas map.

European Convention on Human Rights

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to undertake a review of the incorporation of the European convention on human rights into Scottish law.

George Foulkes: None. The Government monitor the effect of the incorporation of the ECHR into domestic law, but there are no plans at present for a review.

Single Currency

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the convergence of the Scottish economy with the euro zone.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron).

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the Information Technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by her Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by her Department.

Helen Liddell: In respect of the Scottish Office prior to 1 July 1999, the information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. No IT contracts have been set by the Department since that date.

Barnett Formula

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has held with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the operation of the Barnett Formula.

Helen Liddell: I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on a wide range of issues.

Free Television Licences

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pensioners in Scotland are benefiting from the provision of free television licences to those aged over 75 years.

George Foulkes: We estimate that over 300,000 pensioners in Scotland benefit from the provision of a free TV licence. There are approximately 4,540 people aged 75 or over in the Falkirk, West constituency.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

Proceeds of Crime Bill

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Advocate-General what measures she is recommending to the Government to ensure that the Proceeds of Crime Bill will comply with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Lynda Clark: The proposed Proceeds of Crime Bill is the responsibility of the Home Secretary who will also be responsible, in terms of section 19 of the Human Rights Act, for making a statement as to the Bill's compatibility with Convention rights. He is, of course, entitled to seek legal advice, both from within his Department and outside it, including Law Officers' advice, on any matter for which he considers this to be appropriate.

Road Traffic Cases

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Advocate-General on how many occasions she has given advice on the implications of the European human rights convention on road traffic cases.

Lynda Clark: As the hon. Lady will be aware, I appeared before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the Margaret Anderson Brown case which concerned the human rights compatibility of a provision in the Road Traffic Acts. The hon. Lady will be pleased to know that the Judicial Committee upheld my arguments, and those made on behalf of the Scottish Executive, and decided that the current legislation was compatible with the Convention. When requested I give advice on a variety of matters including the implications of the European Convention on Human Rights.

European Convention on Human Rights

Russell Brown: To ask the Advocate-General if she has intervened in the recent ECHR challenge to the prison regime in Barlinnie.

Lynda Clark: At present, I have not intervened in the case of Robert Napier v. the Scottish Ministers, which concerns the conditions in which the petitioner was detained at Barlinnie Prison.

Scottish Planning Law

Eric Joyce: To ask the Advocate-General what effect the recent ECHR challenges have had on Scottish planning law.

Lynda Clark: Scottish planning law is a matter for the Scottish Ministers. However, a number of cases have arisen in Scotland in which there have been challenges on Convention rights grounds and these have been intimated to me as raising devolution issues under the Scottish Act. I have intervened in four such cases to date. The appeal in the first of these cases to be heard, County Properties v the Scottish Ministers and the Advocate-General, has now been completed and a judgment is expected shortly.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Early-day Motions

Kevin Hughes: To ask the President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals in respect of early-day motions.

Stephen Twigg: I understand there are no plans to do so at present, but any Member can put proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons and they will be considered carefully.

Private Bill Procedure

Andrew Dismore: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to bring forward proposals to reform the Private Bill procedure.

Stephen Twigg: None at present. Private Bill Procedure was reviewed by the Joint Committee on Private Bill Procedure in 1987–88, and many of the matters previously covered by Private Bill Procedure are now covered by the Transport and Works Act 1992. Before the election the House agreed to Standing Order changes which allow the House to consider the ECHR compatibility of Private Bills.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

David Winnick: To ask the President of the Council to ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans the Commission has in respect of the renewal of the contract of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Archy Kirkwood: The present Commissioner's term of office runs until February 2002. The Commission will consider the matter in good time before then.

Scrutiny

David Borrow: To ask the President of the Council what proposals he plans to bring forward to improve scrutiny of the executive by the House of Commons.

David Crausby: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to improve the scrutiny functions of the House.

Robin Cook: I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson).

Scrutiny

Andrew Miller: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to increase the amount of pre-legislative scrutiny.

Joan Ryan: To ask the President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to increase opportunities for pre-legislative scrutiny.

Robin Cook: I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave earlier to hon. Friend the Member for Tyne Bridge (Mr. Clelland).

Terms of Service

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to bring forward proposals to reform the rules relating to hon. Members' terms of service.

Stephen Twigg: Any hon. Member's term of office is, and should remain, in the hands of the electorate, unless some legal disqualification intervenes.

Waste Paper

Chris Mullin: To ask the President of the Council to ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much waste paper was produced by the House in each of the last two years; how it was disposed of; and if he will make a statement.

Archy Kirkwood: This is primarily a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; but I can tell the hon. Member that over the last two years, approximately 50 tonnes of paper from the Vote Office was sent for recycling each year. All additional waste paper was compacted with general waste amounting to some 3,000 tonnes per year and was incinerated for the production of electricity in line with Government guidelines.

Parliamentary Committees

Pete Wishart: To ask the President of the Council if he will commission an inquiry into the roles of (a) the Scottish Parliament's committees and (b) House of Commons Standing Committees in respect of legislation.

Robin Cook: I very much hope the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons will look at the Scottish Parliament to see what we can learn from their experience; I certainly intend to visit that Parliament over the summer adjournment.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the President of the Council if he will list the Information Technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Robin Cook: None.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Self-Regulation

George Stevenson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor last met the Law Society to discuss self- regulation for the legal profession; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Lord Chancellor meets from time to time with the president and other representatives of the Law Society to discuss aspects of the current self- regulatory arrangements. While he has not entered into discussions for ending self-regulation, he has made it clear publicly that self-regulation is a privilege and not a right that the society should take for granted.

Auld Report

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the Auld report to be published.

Michael Wills: Lord Justice Auld will complete his review of the criminal courts shortly. The Government will make arrangements for publication once his report is received.

Court Dress

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review court dress.

Rosie Winterton: Previous soundings from within the judiciary, the professions and court users have revealed a wide range of views on whether, and to what extent, court dress should be reformed. Given continued concern in some quarters, the Lord Chief Justice is consulting with the professional bodies. Once the results are available, the Lord Chancellor will consult with the heads of division and decide what action, if any, it would be appropriate to take.

Victims and Witnesses

David Kidney: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in providing assistance to victims and witnesses at all court centres.

Michael Wills: There are witness support services, run by Victim Support, in all Crown court centres. Witness services are being introduced into all magistrates' courts with a target date for completion of 31 March 2002. Interim targets of 20 per cent., and 40 per cent., were set for 31 March 2000 and 2001 respectively. These targets have been met. The latest figures show that witness services have been introduced in 46 per cent. of magistrates' courts.
	We are improving facilities in the Crown court to ensure that prosecution witnesses are not forced to sit alongside potentially intimidating defendants and their families. Currently 87 per cent. of Crown court centres have a special witness waiting room available.

Handcuffs

Julian Lewis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance the Lord Chancellor has given on the visibility of handcuffs worn by defendants in court.

Michael Wills: The Lord Chancellor has not issued any guidance as the decision on whether defendants should wear handcuffs in court is a matter for the judiciary. The Court of Appeal has ruled that no prisoner shall be handcuffed in court unless there are reasonable grounds for believing he will be violent or try to escape. It is open to the prosecution to make an application for handcuffs if they believe a defendant will be violent or try to escape, but the final decision lies with the judge or magistrates.

Young Offenders (Merseyside)

George Howarth: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what his estimate is of the Merseyside courts' progress towards meeting Government targets on the time between arrest and court appearance for young offenders; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: Information is not available in the exact form requested. The Government's target for persistent young offenders is to halve the average time from arrest to sentence from 142 to 71 days by May 2002. The latest available figures are for April 2001. These show that the average time for persistent young offenders charged by the Merseyside police was 91 days. That is a significant improvement over the 1997 figure of 153 days. It reflects the work done by all the criminal justice agencies in Merseyside: the courts, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the youth offending teams.

Judicial Appointments

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what ethnic monitoring is undertaken of judicial appointments.

Michael Wills: Applicants for judicial office are invited to complete a questionnaire about their ethnic origin, although they are not obliged to provide the information requested. Based on the information provided, the Lord Chancellor produces monthly figures showing the number of people from ethnic minorities in the judiciary, and includes in his annual report on judicial appointments statistical information about competitions including the number of applications, candidates interviewed and appointments made, analysed by reference to ethnic origin. This information is available on the Lord Chancellor's website, www.lcd.gov.uk.

Complaints

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what his policy is on dealing with complaints against magistrates.

Michael Wills: The Lord Chancellor expects all magistrates to behave in a way that allows the community to have confidence in their ability to carry out their judicial duties. His policy and procedure for dealing with complaints against them is set out in chapter 19 of his directions for advisory committees on justices of the peace, copies of which are available in the Libraries. The overriding principle in the procedure for dealing with complaints is the observance of the rules of natural justice.

Contingency Fees

Ian Lucas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the benefits of introducing contingency fees as a method of payment for lawyers in personal injury cases.

Rosie Winterton: None. Contingency fees are used legitimately in many tribunals and for non-contentious business and have their supporters and detractors. The Law Society and the Bar Council are working together to consider how, if properly regulated, contingency fees might be used more widely to benefit clients and extend access to justice. The Government have no plans to extend the use of contingency fees.

Child Contact Orders

Margaret Moran: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many child contact orders resulted in further court action involving (a) violence and (b) death in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The Lord Chancellor's Department is not able to collect statistics on events which happen after the court's involvement is concluded. However, officials from this Department are exploring with the Home Office how we can address this information gap.

Child Contact Orders

Margaret Moran: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what analysis her Department carried out on the number of murders of (a) partners and (b) children resulting from child contact orders, as part of her consultation on child contact.

Rosie Winterton: The consultation exercise on child contact, "Making Contact Work", is being undertaken by the Children Act 1989 sub-committee of the Lord Chancellor's advisory board on family law and is on-going. Information about the number of murders of partners or children where a child contact order is in force is not available. However, officials from this Department are exploring with the Home Office how we can address this information gap.

Child Contact Orders

Margaret Moran: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many child contact orders have resulted in further court action; and what the (a) average and (b) largest number of further court actions was.

Rosie Winterton: The Lord Chancellor's Department does not routinely collect statistics on all subsequent court actions. However, the Department is conducting a sampling exercise on this area, the results of which will be published in due course.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties.

Rosie Winterton: The Lord Chancellor has not yet needed to travel on the London underground in the course of his official duties.

Justices of the Peace

Ben Chapman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the appointment of justices of the peace.

Michael Wills: My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is keen that the social composition of the magistracy reflects the community it serves, subject to all magistrates fulfilling the merit criteria for appointment. Advisory committees are required to ensure that benches reflect the community in terms of gender, ethnic origin, geographical spread, occupation and political affiliation. My noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster requires his advisory committees to do the same. Work is under way to develop a national strategy for the recruitment of lay magistrates and to find a viable alternative to the use of political affiliation as a measure of social balance.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the Information Technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Michael Wills: The following table lists the IT contracts that have been let by the Lord Chancellor's Department with a value of more than £500,000, since April 1991. Probity and value for money in contracting for IT projects is ensured through compliance with EC public procurement rules, UK Government domestic procurement policy and best practice guidance, Government accounting rules and National Audit Office requirements.
	
		
			 Original estimated cost Original completion date Actual cost (£) Actual completion date  Contractors involved  Consultants retained  Comments 
		
		
			  Nexus Office Automation System 
			 £600,000 April 1996 660,666 April 1996 Seimens-Nixdorf Computacenter, Foxlan   
			   
			  BACCHUS Case Management System 
			 £721,476 July 1994 808,931 July 1994
			   
			  MIDAS Management Information and Accounting System 
			 £627,850 January 1995 641,301 January 1995 Oracle   
			   
			  SOAP Office Automation System 
			 £754,700 April 1996 775,065 April 1996 Seimens-Nixdorf, Bull   
			   
			  MIS (Management Information System) 
			 £14,356,000 December 2001 14,825,000 Spring 2003 Within the scope of the Department's existing PFI contract with CSL Group Ltd.  This project is still ongoing and therefore, the costs and dates shown are the latest estimates. The costs shown relate to the provision of the service over the life of the system and include physical rollout, training, and on-going service charges 
			   
			  MANIFEST (Integrated Estate Management and Finance System) 
			 £4,868,000 December 2000 5,240,000 February 2001 Within the scope of the Department's existing PFI contract with CSL Group Ltd.  The costs shown relate to the provision of the service over the life of the system and includes physical rollout, training, and on-going service charges 
			   
			  LOCCS (Various court-based IT systems) 
			 £25,000,000 October 1996 107,000,000 September 2003 EDS Masons, Kermon, Charterhouse bank, Myriad Baseline costs are unchanged, the estimated costs to the end of the contract (£107 million) includes very significant additional services 
			   
			  MASS Development 
			 £1,100,000 March 1995 2,700,000 June 1997 Admiral Computing Ltd.   
			 MASS Testing/Support 
			 £4,900,000 March 1998 3,400,000 April 1997 F1 Group Plc   
			   
			  MASS Training Materials 
			 £1,000,000 March 1996 400,000 December 1996 Admiral Computing Ltd.   
			   
			  LIBRA 
			 £319,000,000 July 2013 n/a n/a ICI plc  The Libra contract was originally let in December 1998, to run to 2009 with a value of £183 million. An option to extend was taken up and this extension is reported here 
			   
			  SLD (Statute Law Database) 
			 £700,000 August 1993 700,000 Summer 1995 Syntegra Ltd. (previously Secure Information Systems Ltd.)  The system was delivered in November 1993. However, it was not formally accepted until summer 1995 
			   
			  CLAT (Criminal Legal Aid Expenditure Monitoring) 
			 £582,250 March 2001 604,591 March 2001 Within the scope of the Department's existing PFI contract with CSL Group Ltd.   
			   
			  ARAMIS (Resource Accounting and Management Information System)—individual services are shown as follows: 
			 £91,400,000 n/a 118,050,000 n/a CSL Group Ltd.  A PFI contract for the provision of accounting, financial, HR/payroll and management information services. It was awarded in December 1997 and runs until January 2007. The services have IT elements and are delivered using a corporate IT infrastructure provided through the contract. However, the IT elements of the contract are not separated out from the main business functions 
			  New Accounting Service 
			 n/a July 1998 n/a July 1998
			  New HR Service 
			 n/a March 1999 n/a March 1999
			  New Purchasing Service 
			 n/a April 1999 n/a October 1999

Libra Project

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place a list of the reasons for the increase in the value of the Libra project in the Library; if liquidated damages clauses are included in the contract for the Libra project; and if he will place a copy of the contract in the Library.

Michael Wills: The increase in the cost of the Libra project is based on delivery of an additional four years of the full Libra service to all magistrates' courts and an earlier delivery of the first part of the Libra service—office automation. A liquidated damages clause is included in the contract. As the contract contains commercially confidential information, it would not be appropriate to make it available in the Library.

Public Trust Office Annual Report

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she will publish the Public Trust Office's annual report and accounts for 2000–01.

Rosie Winterton: The Public Trust Office's annual report and accounts for 2000–01 have been published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Police Fund

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide details of the new Police Fund in Northern Ireland and indicate when he expects to appoint trustees to the Fund.

Jane Kennedy: The new Northern Ireland Police Fund, based on the recommendations in the Patten report, and the subsequent report carried out by Mr. John Steele, will provide assistance to police officers (who have been murdered or injured as a direct result of terrorism in Northern Ireland), their families and dependants. Indeed, lump sum payments of over £4 million have already been paid to a group of RUC widows widowed before 25 November 1982. Detailed work on the legal status of the fund, as well as on its funding, is continuing and the Government hope to announce the names of trustees shortly.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Information Technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Jane Kennedy: The information is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Estimated cost Estimated completion  Actual cost (£)  Actual completion  Contractor  Consultant 
		
		
			  Oasis 
			 £5,000,000 December 1996 5,732,000 November 1997 Bull  
			   
			  DPPNet 
			 £750,000 February 1999 748,000 March 1999 Bull  
			   
			  Bloody Sunday Inquiry—Contract A 
			 £1,800,000 June 1998 2,500,000 (includes changes and additional input) June 1998 Bull  
			   
			  Bloody Sunday Inquiry—Contract B Hearings Installation 
			 £2,000,000 March 2000 2,000,000 (fixed price setup contract) March 2000 ICL Deloitte and Touche 
			   
			  Bloody Sunday Inquiry—Contract C Hearings Running Costs 
			 £5,000,000 Not known Ongoing based on fixed cost of 225k per month Not known ICL Deloitte and Touche 
			   
			  Oasis Refresh 
			 £1,900,000 October 1999 2,255,000 December 1999 Compaq  
			   
			  Compass 
			 £1,200,000 November 2002 On budget On target Picaso

Royal Ulster Constabulary

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time Reserve RUC officers there were at (i) 1 June 2001 and (ii) 22 May 1998.

Jane Kennedy: The table shows the number of full-time and part-time members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve at the specified dates:
	
		
			 Date Full-Time Reserve Part-Time Reserve 
		
		
			 1 June 2001 2,417 1,063 
			 22 May 1998 2,996 1,280

Royal Ulster Constabulary

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many regular RUC officers there were at (a) 7 June 2001 and (b) 22 May 1998.

Jane Kennedy: The table shows the number of regular members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary at the specified dates:
	
		
			 Date Number 
		
		
			 7 June 2001 7,341 
			 22 May 1998 8,471

Disturbances, (Ardoyne)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the cause of disturbances in Ardoyne, Belfast from 20 June; how many civilians and police were injured on each night of the disturbances; how many plastic bullets were fired; what tactics were employed by the police to defuse tensions; what public statements were made by the RUC concerning the protection of children; how many arrests have been made and what the perceived community origin and ages were of those arrested; and how many (a) alleged rioters and (b) police officers were involved in the disturbances.

Jane Kennedy: The serious public disorder in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast arose from a series of sectarian incidents that were themselves the result of the continuing sectarian tensions in this part of the city.
	During the period 20–25 June 2001, 62 police officers and 11 civilians were injured. Eight plastic baton rounds were fired.
	The Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable, the Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast, the local police commander and other officers made almost daily statements through the media with the emphasis being on the safety of the whole community including children. These sought to make absolutely clear the damage being done to the entire community, by a minority on each side, and to urge local leaders and people of influence to try to calm the disorder. Police spoke with political representatives and community activists on both sides of the community in an effort to defuse the situation and to encourage them to use whatever influence they had to resolve the differences. The Army was deployed at interface areas and the level of police patrolling was increased to (a) provide reassurance to both sections of the community and (b) to prevent clashes between both sections of the community.
	Seven persons, aged between 15 and 43 years, were arrested. Although the Royal Ulster Constabulary does not collate information on the religious or political beliefs of arrested persons, it is thought that five may be from the Protestant community and two from the Roman Catholic community.
	At the height of the rioting more than 250 police officers, along with substantial military support, were involved. It is estimated that 800 persons from both communities were involved in the rioting.

John Stokes

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the findings of the coroner's inquest into the death of John Stokes while in police custody were; how many days elapsed between death and inquest; and what actions he has taken subsequently in respect of the incident.

Jane Kennedy: Mr. Stokes died on 3 November 1997. The Coroner's inquest has not yet been completed. The latest attempt on 7 June 2001 to complete the inquest was halted due to questions being raised concerning human rights considerations. When available, due consideration will be given to the findings of the Coroner's inquest.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Green Ministers

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she chaired the first meeting of Green Ministers during the current Session of Parliament; when subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: In this Parliament the Green Ministers Committee has been reconstituted as the Cabinet Sub- Committee of Green Ministers, ENV(G), under my chairmanship. Dates for meetings have not, as yet, been set.

Foot and Mouth

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average time is for compensation payments for those holdings that (a) lost stock, (b) lost fodder and (c) bore the costs of disinfecting their premises due to foot and mouth.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 July 2001
	I recognise that there have been delays in the payment of compensation to farmers whose animals have been compulsorily slaughtered because of foot and mouth disease, and that when the disease was at its peak during April and May these delays could be extensive. However, the time taken to pay compensation claims has been reduced and we are now in a position to pay claims within three weeks of receiving complete documentation.
	Information on average payment times for compensation for anything, including fodder, seized by the Department for the purpose of preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease, and payment times for the costs of cleansing and disinfecting affected farm premises where farmers have chosen to do this work themselves under the Department's supervision could be obtained only at disproportionate cost because of the number of payments involved and the fact that the records are not held centrally.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many samples of deer have been taken for foot and mouth disease analysis; and how many have tested (a) positive and (b) negative.

Elliot Morley: As of 2 July more than 60 samples have been submitted to the Institute of Animal Health for testing from various parts of England and Scotland. All have tested negative for evidence of the foot and mouth virus, antigens or antibodies.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the national (a) flock of sheep and (b) herd of cattle has been culled as a result of the slaughter eradication policy.

Elliot Morley: The numbers of sheep and cattle that have been compulsorily slaughtered as a result of the cull on premises affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Great Britain are as follows:
	
		
			  Sheep Cattle 
		
		
			 Number of animals slaughtered as a result of FMD as at 4 July 2001 2,794,000 547,000 
			 Number of animals in Great Britain as per June 2000 Agricultural Census 39,520,000 9,456,000 
			 Percentage of national flock/herd slaughtered 7 6

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many foot and mouth disease carcases are being stored pending rendering.

Elliot Morley: No carcases are stored pending rendering. Most carcases are rendered on the day that they are delivered to the plant. Sometimes for operational reasons carcases may be held overnight at plants before being rendered on the following day or held overnight at carcase collection centres before being delivered to rendering plants. However, most carcases will be rendered within 24 hours of delivery to the plant.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of (a) the tonnage of ash to be taken away from and (b) the number of locations of pyre sites in Cumbria.

Elliot Morley: Ash will only be removed from pyre sites in cases where it is not possible to bury it on site. We estimate that there are at least 45 pyre sites in Cumbria that fall into this category. Our initial estimate of the total amount of ash that will have to be removed from these sites is in the region of 10,000 tonnes.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates over the last 10 years, MAFF/DEFRA contingency plans for foot and mouth disease were submitted to the EU or DoE/DETR.

Elliot Morley: The Great Britain contingency plan for foot and mouth disease, as required by Article 5 of Council Directive 90/423, in line with the criteria set out in the Commission Decision 91/42/EEC, was submitted to the EU in 1991 and approved by Commission Decision 93/455/EEC.
	The first revision of the plan was in July 2000 and a copy was sent to the EU.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration the Government have given to varying compensatory valuations at different stages of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: For compensation purposes, the Animal Health Act 1981 stipulates the value of an animal as being its value immediately before it became affected with foot and mouth disease or, if not so affected, its value immediately before it was slaughtered. Standard valuations were set out in regulations in order to speed up the slaughter process, but farmers retained the right to request an individual valuation of their stock.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her assessment is of when foot and mouth disease will be eradicated in the United Kingdom.

Elliot Morley: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 492W.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what dates over the last 20 years divisions or regions of MAFF/DEFRA were tested or updated on the contingency plans for foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: The 23 Animal Health Divisional Offices have been required to hold one contingency planning exercise each year and to update their plans accordingly.
	The 1999–2000, 25 such exercises were held and in 1998–99 there were 18 held. Prior to these dates, figures are not readily available.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the protocols and guidance notes for the disinfection of all buildings, including sheds with cobbled floor and slurry pits, following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: Guidance for farmers and contractors on health and safety issues related to cleansing and disinfection are available on the DEFRA website at the following address: http://defraweb/footandmouth/farmers/ during/safety.asp.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animals were killed as part of the 3 km cull in Cumbria.

Elliot Morley: In Cumbria 504,160 animals were slaughtered in the 3 km cull.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of foot and mouth have been detected because of surveillance visits by vets from her Department.

Elliot Morley: As at 11 July, 239 infected premises in Great Britain were confirmed as a result of such surveillance visits.

Foot and Mouth

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) cattle and (b) sheep, on how many farms in (i) England and (ii) Cumbria, have been have been slaughtered because they were contiguous to infected premises; and how many of those tested negative for foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: As of 11 July, the numbers of cattle and sheep slaughtered on Contiguous Premises (CPs) and numbers of CPs are shown in the table.
	
		
			  England Cumbria 
		
		
			 Number of CPs 2,597 470 
			 Cattle slaughtered 137,800 22,225 
			 Sheep slaughtered 689,342 124,568 
		
	
	The following table shows, of those figures above, the numbers of CPs which returned a negative laboratory test result, and the numbers of cattle and sheep slaughtered on those premises.
	
		
			  England Cumbria 
		
		
			 Number of negative CPs 175 45 
			 Cattle slaughtered 11,189 2,798 
			 Sheep slaughtered 75,644 21,495 
		
	
	A negative test result does not necessarily mean that the premises was free from disease. For instance, positive results may not be produced from tests on blood or tissue taken when the disease is in later stages or from newly infected animals where antibodies have not yet developed.

Foot and Mouth

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints she has received from (a) organisations and (b) members of the public about the conduct of the military in assisting with the foot and mouth cull.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 2 July 2001
	Complaints about the conduct of the military are likely to have been addressed to a number of different points within DEFRA and also the Ministry of Defence. Although the exact number of complaints is not known, in either Department, it is not thought to be high. Indeed, the armed forces were the subject of much praise from farmers and members of the public for their extremely valuable contribution towards the fight against foot and mouth disease.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she takes to ensure consistency in the advice her Department is offering to farmers on biosecurity relating to foot and mouth disease with the advice it is offering to county councils about the re-opening of footpaths; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Government's top priority has always been to eradicate the disease. Veterinary advice is that the main way the disease is being spread is by those working with or close to animals not taking appropriate biosecurity measures. At every opportunity we have emphasised the need for everyone consistently to take stringent precautions to avoid further spread.
	However for those who have had no contact with animals or affected premises for at least seven days, the risk is considerably lower. The advice to walkers is consistent with the biosecurity message and includes: observe closed signs; use disinfectant troughs where provided; keep your dog on a lead where there are livestock; and do not leave waste food around. Footpaths within a 3 km protection zone around infected premises should normally remain closed.

Foot and Mouth

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the cost to date of the operation to eradicate foot and mouth in the Ribble Valley.

Elliot Morley: The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For information relating to the cost of the outbreak as a whole to the Department, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 562W.

Hedgerows

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the proposed timetable is for consultation on the revised draft Hedgerows Regulations; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: We expect to consult on proposals to amend the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 later this year.

Animal Welfare

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the progress of her review of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals; and for how long representations may be made to her.

Elliot Morley: Responsibility for the European Convention was passed from the Home Office to this Department on 8 June. I will be happy to receive representatives from the hon. Gentleman and others about this new element in our responsibilities for animal welfare.

Animal Welfare

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the measures she is taking to improve animal welfare.

Elliot Morley: This Government are committed to high animal welfare standards, not only in the UK but also on an EU wide basis. High welfare standards are best achieved through effective Community-wide legislation and enforcement. We will continue to work towards the delivery of positive change through a range of UK, European Union and Council of Europe measures designed to improve welfare conditions for all animals, following the transfer of certain animal welfare responsibilities from the Home Office.

Commission on the Future of Food and Farming

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  who will lead the commission to consider the future of food and farming;
	(2)  what the intended timetable is for the commission to consider the future of food and farming.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 16 July 2001
	An announcement will be made soon on the membership and terms of reference of the commission.

Wildlife Crime (Birds of Prey)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to (a) stop wild birds of prey being illegally sold in the United Kingdom and (b) detect and prosecute those responsible for the illegal sale of wild birds of prey; and what further action is planned.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 16 July 2001
	Legislation is already in place prohibiting the sale of most birds of prey species, unless a licence has been issued by my Department or one of the devolved Administrations. People found guilty of sales offences could face an unlimited fine and/or a prison sentence of up to two years.
	Responsibility for enforcing the controls rests primarily with the police service. Most forces now have at least one part-time Wildlife Liaison Officer who would normally investigate these offences. The Department actively supports investigating officers, by providing information about the licences and permits it has issued, and from its bird registration system. It also manages a panel of Wildlife Inspectors, who check compliance with certain wildlife controls.
	The Department also co-chairs the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, comprising all the main Government and voluntary organisations committed to combating crimes against wildlife. The Partnership is taking forward a range of initiatives to raise awareness of wildlife crime and to support the work of police officers. One of its main priorities is to take forward work to establish a dedicated unit to tackle wildlife crime at national level.

Flood Defence Schemes (Robertsbridge)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will instruct the Environment Agency to commence work immediately on the flood defence schemes for Northbridge street and Rutley close, Robertsbridge.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 16 July 2001
	The Department has policy responsibility for flood and coastal defence and provides grant aid for capital works that meet certain criteria. However operational responsibility, including decisions on which projects to promote and their timing, rests with local operating authorities, such as the Environment Agency. I understand that the Agency is building on the findings of the pre-feasibility study of flooding problems in Robertsbridge, by commissioning a feasibility study to develop the outline design for suitable flood defences. The study will include consideration of flood defences for Northbridge street and Rutley close. Depending on the results of the study, I understand that the Environment Agency plans to commence works at Robertsbridge in summer 2002.

Flood Protection

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to amend the funding arrangements for flood protection measures; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The funding arrangements for flood and coastal defence are currently being reviewed with a report due in September. I shall, of course, inform the House of the conclusions that are reached.

Departmental Co-operation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she met the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to discuss inter-departmental sharing of papers and joint decision-making; what is the intended timetable for future meetings to take place; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  when she met the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to discuss inter-departmental sharing of papers and joint decision-making; what is the intended timetable for future meetings to take place; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 July 2001
	It is vital that the Department works effectively with other Departments to deliver the Government's policy objectives. I regularly meet Ministerial colleagues from relevant parts of Government to discuss matters of shared interest. My officials also have frequent contacts with their counterparts in these areas.

Departmental Co-operation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has for future joint decision making in conjunction with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 July 2001
	It is vital that the Department works effectively with other Departments to deliver the Government's policy objectives. We work closely with all relevant parts of Government, including the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, on matters of shared interest.

Departmental Co-operation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has for future joint decision making in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 July 2001
	It is vital that my Department works effectively with other Departments to deliver the Government's policy objectives. We work closely with all relevant parts of Government, including the Department of Trade and Industry, on matters of shared interest.

Common Agricultural Policy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her timetable is for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to reflect environmental concerns more closely; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 13 July 2001
	We expect the European Commission to table proposals to the Agriculture Council for discussion next summer. The timing of those negotiations will be the responsibility of the member states holding the presidency at the time, which will be Spain for the period up to June 2002 and then Denmark.
	We are committed to CAP reform and want to reduce the overall burden of the CAP, to secure a closer alignment between EU and world prices and to re-focus support on measures benefiting the rural economy and the environment.

Biotechnology

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the consultation exercises that have been undertaken over the last five years on farm animal biotechnology and cloning; what decisions have been made following these exercises; and which issues are still under consideration.

Elliot Morley: The Government received advice on the implications of cloning for farm animals in a report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (published December 1998). Since then, the Government have established the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC). Its remit includes providing strategic advice on the ethical and social aspects of developments in biotechnology, and on their public acceptability. An AEBC sub-group is currently exploring the subject of animals and biotechnology with the aim of providing a report to Government early next year. This may include consideration of the issue of the welfare of cloned animals. More generally, the Office of Science and Technology commissioned a consultation exercise on public attitudes to biotechnology in 1998–99, which included questions on the public perception of animal cloning.

State Veterinary Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many vets were employed by the Government Veterinary Service on 1 May (a) 1995, (b) 1997, (c) 1999 and (d) 2001.

Elliot Morley: The number of veterinary surgeons (full-time equivalents) employed by the State Veterinary Service (SVS) since January 1995 are shown in the table (figures for May are not readily accessible, other than those for 2001 which are given). The Veterinary Investigation Service became part of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) on 1 October 1995 and is not included in these figures from that date. In 2000, there were 99 veterinarians employed by the VLA. Much of the information presented here previously appeared on 27 February 1997, Official Report, columns 323–24W.
	Of the 286 full-time equivalent veterinarians employed by the State Veterinary Service in 2001 as a whole, 220 veterinarians are employed as field veterinary officers. The work of these officers is supplemented by about 100 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) from the private sector in normal times.
	
		
			 Year as at 1 January Number of vets 
		
		
			 1995 394.5 
			 1997 289.5 
			 1999 283.0 
			 2001 286.0 
		
	
	As at 1 May 2001 the total number of vets working in the State Veterinary Service was 1,718. The permanent veterinary staff were supplemented by TVIs, foreign Government vets on loan to the SVS, vets from the MAFF agencies and those on loan from other Government Departments.

Census

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the June farming census will be held; and what plans she has to alter the usual questions.

Elliot Morley: Following consultation with the industry my Department carried out the June Census on 1 June 2001 as originally planned. The decision to proceed was carefully considered. There is a need to be sensitive to the pressures the farming community is facing as a result of the Foot and Mouth outbreak, yet gather good information to help underpin policies for recovery.
	Regarding alteration of the questions, the need for continuity of the statistical series and our legal obligations to collect certain details meant there were no changes to the census form. Consideration is currently being given to the collection of supplementary information relating to the wider impact of the outbreak upon farmers and the short, medium and longer term effects.

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she has set for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science for 2001–02.

Michael Meacher: I have set the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science the following performance targets for 2001–02.
	Financial Control
	To recover from Government Departments and Agencies and external customers the full economic costs of the Agency's services.
	Efficiency
	To achieve savings and efficiency gains in a range of key functions.
	Quality and Service Delivery
	To give satisfaction to customers in the way that outputs are provided, as measured by the CEFAS Customer Satisfaction Survey.
	To make satisfactory progress with the Action Plan resulting from the 1999–2000 Science Audit.
	To manage the Agency in an effective manner including pursuit of commercial exploitation of research outputs.

Forestry Commission (Expenditure)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to amend the Forestry Commission Departmental Expenditure Limits for (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04.

Elliot Morley: The National Assembly for Wales has now taken over responsibility for funding the Forestry Commission's activities in Wales, in accordance with the devolution arrangements, and so £5,256,000 will be transferred to the National Assembly from the Forestry Commission's Departmental Expenditure Limit in 2001–02 and in each of the following two years.
	In addition, in order to allow the Forestry Commission to smooth out the effects on net expenditure of the current difficulties in achieving planned levels of income, the Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2001–02 will be increased by bringing £1,000,000 forward from the Departmental Expenditure Limits for both 2002–03 and 2003–04 (giving a total increase in 2001–02 of £2,000,000).
	Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Departmental Expenditure Limit will also be increased in 2001–02 by £1,000. This token Supplementary Estimate is required to bring the ambit of the Summary Request for Supply presented to Parliament into line with the Departmental Supply Estimate.
	The net effect of these changes is that the Forestry Commission's total budget over the last three years is increased by £1,000. However, following the transfer of responsibility for funding the Commission's activities in Wales, the Commission's Departmental Expenditure Limit for expenditure funded directly by Parliament will be reduced in 2001–02 by £3,255,000, from £70,592,000 to £67,337,000, and in each of the following two years by £6,256,000 from £75,052,000 to £68,796,000.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Ministerial Replies

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 573W, on ministerial replies, if he will list by Department, the number of letters from members of the public not replied to since May 1997.

Christopher Leslie: The information is not held centrally in the form requested. I will later this week be placing in the Libraries of the House information on the percentage of letters answered by the main Departments and agencies within their correspondence target.

WORK AND PENSIONS

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the reservation taken by the UK to article 22 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The United Kingdom ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991. The reservation in respect of article 22 in no way inhibits the discharge of our obligations under the Convention. It is there to safeguard the right of the United Kingdom to determine its own immigration and nationality laws.

Incapacity Benefit

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what studies he has conducted into the timescale and evidence for material changes in capacity for working.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 9 July 2001
	Improvements in a person's work capability will vary from case to case according to their condition. This is not predictable and will also depend on the opportunities and support available. Research shows that around a third of disabled people not in work want to work. That is why we are committed to providing the right support for those who may be able to return to employment.

Incapacity Benefit

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish the details of his planned changes to Incapacity Benefit before laying the regulations before the House.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions gave the hon. Members for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) and for Northavon (Mr. Webb), and my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 11 July 2001, Official Report, columns 565–67W.

Incapacity Benefit

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what is the average amount of time people currently claiming Incapacity Benefit have been in receipt of that benefit;
	(2)  what proportion of people receiving Incapacity Benefit for an indefinite period have had changed circumstances since the benefit was originally granted.

Malcolm Wicks: The average duration of claims to Incapacity Benefit current on 31 March 2000, the latest date for which the information is available, was 2,278 days. This figure is based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims and excludes cases where the person claiming was receiving National Insurance credits only.
	Information on the proportion of people receiving Incapacity Benefit who have had a change of circumstances is not available.

Incapacity Benefit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of Incapacity Benefit have been subjected to a new capability for work test as a result of (a) section 61 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 and (b) the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1999.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 July 2001
	Between the introduction of the Personal Capability Assessment in April 2000 and the end of May 2001 (the latest date for which figures are available), 825,017 assessments were carried out.

Incapacity Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide a breakdown of recipients of Incapacity Benefit by type of incapacity; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 16 July 2001
	The information is in the table.
	
		Number of Incapacity Benefit recipients as at 28 February 2001
		
			  Thousand  
			 Diagnoses group Number 
		
		
			 All diagnoses 1,515.2 
			 Claimants without any diagnosis code on the system 4.2 
			 Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) 11.2 
			 Neoplasms (Coo-D48) 23.7 
			 Diseases of the blood and blood forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism (D50-D89) 2.3 
			 Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90) 25.0 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99) 392.0 
			 Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99) 83.7 
			 Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59) 10.3 
			 Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95) 6.8 
			 Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) 155.4 
			 Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99) 49.8 
			 Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K93) 26.1 
			 Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous system (L00-L99) 10.6 
			 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99) 400.8 
			 Diseases of the genitourinary system (Noo-N99) 12.2 
			 Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O99) 1.3 
			 Certain conditions originating in the Perinatal period (P00-P96) — 
			 Congenital malformations, deformations and chromasomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99) 1.4 
			 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) 184.5 
			 Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-U22) 97.1 
			 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99) 16.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All diagnoses are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD10), published by the World Health Organisation. The codes in brackets following each heading show the ICD10 codes in each group.
	2. The figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system and will exclude a small number of clerically held cases. They are expressed in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred. Those marked with "—" denote nil or negligible.
	3. If a person has more than one medical condition only the primary diagnosis is recorded.
	4. Figures exclude cases where a claimant receives National Insurance credits only.

Incapacity Benefit

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for Incapacity Benefit were refused in (a) 2000 and (b) this year to date.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 16 July 2001
	The information is in the table.
	
		Total Incapacity Benefit claims disallowed on application
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 1 January to 31 December 2000 379,806 
			 1 January to 30 June 2001 183,233 
		
	
	Note:
	1. Figures are taken from a 100 per cent. count of the computer system and exclude a small number of cases held clerically

Incapacity Benefit

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what has been the cost of Incapacity Benefit in each year since 1995 (a) in cash terms and (b) at current prices.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is available in statistical tables showing breakdowns of historical and forecast benefit expenditure which are in the Library. It is also available on the Department's internet site.

Incapacity Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what evidence he has collated on the numbers of claimants of Incapacity Benefit who are capable of (a) full-time work on a sustained basis and (b) other kinds of work;
	(2)  what studies he has carried out into the skills, qualifications and work experience of present claimants of Incapacity Benefit; and what the result was.

Malcolm Wicks: Incapacity Benefit is a benefit for people who are not working because of sickness and disability, but this does not mean that they will never be capable of work. We know about one third of Incapacity Benefit recipients want to work. We believe it right to help them to achieve these ambitions.
	A national survey has been carried out which gathered information on the skills and qualifications of people who were in receipt of incapacity-related benefits for 28 weeks or more, including Incapacity Benefit. We plan to publish detailed findings from the survey later this year. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library.

Incapacity Benefit

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people suffering from diabetes are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Recipients of Incapacity Benefit (IB) whose diagnosis is diabetes as at 28 February 2001
		
			  Thousand  
			 Diagnosis IB recipients 
		
		
			 Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (21)0.4 
			 Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (21)0.3 
			 Unspecified Diabetes Mellitus 20.3 
			  
			 Total 20.9 
		
	
	(21) Figures based on a very few sample cases and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling error and should be used as a guide to the current situation only
	Notes:
	1. Figures given do not include Credits Only cases
	2. Owing to the rounding method used the individual figures do not sum to the total
	3. The table shows the numbers of Incapacity Benefit recipients whose first or only diagnosis is shown to be diabetes. They exclude numbers claiming Incapacity Benefit where another diagnosis is the primary cause of incapacity
	4. The figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system and will exclude a small number of clerically held cases
	5. They are expressed in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred

Incapacity Benefit

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set out the most recent figures for the review periods set for Incapacity Benefit, indicating how many recipients fall into each category (a) less than three months, (b) three to nine months, (c) nine to 18 months, (d) 18 months to 36 months, (e) three to five years, (f) more than five years and (g) indefinite.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not available.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Rachel Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review the regulations which exclude term time only workers from claiming Jobseeker's Allowance during the school holidays.

Malcolm Wicks: We are considering the terms of the House of Lords judgment of 28 June.

Disability Living Allowance

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) under and (b) over the age of 16 years and suffering from diabetes are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, listed by the (i) lower, (ii) middle and (iii) higher rate.

Maria Eagle: Disability Living Allowance comprises a care component with three rates and a mobility component with two. Relevant information is in the table.
	
		People in receipt of Disability Living Allowance whose main disabling condition is diabetes mellitus(22)
		
			   Age under 16 Age 16 and over 
		
		
			 All recipients(23) 13,200 28,300 
			 Recipients of each rate   
			 Highest rate care 2,800 5,900 
			 Middle rate care 9,400 9,900 
			 Lowest rate care 1,000 6,400 
			 Higher rate mobility (24)100 19,500 
			 Lower rate mobility 1,500 4,400 
		
	
	(22) Figures relate to 30 November 2000.
	(23) Some recipients receive both care and mobility components.
	(24) Figure is too small to be statistically reliable.
	Source:
	The Department for Work and Pensions: 5 per cent. data.

Disability Living Allowance

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what reviews are under way within his Department to examine the eligibility criteria for Disability Living Allowance for those diagnosed as having an irreversible condition.

Maria Eagle: Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is based on care and mobility needs arising from a disability, not on particular medical conditions, and there are no specific reviews relating to irreversible conditions.

IT Contracts

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department.

Ian McCartney: The Employment Service and the Department of Social Security, had both made their own contractual arrangements for information technology (IT) prior to merging to form the Department for Work and Pensions.
	Employment Service contracts
	The Employment Service awarded a contract to Siemens Business Service (SBS) to provide an electronic communications system. The service is called Escom and the contract start date was 1 March 1998 with an estimated value of £6 million over the life of the contract. This is a five-year contract due to end 28 February 2003.
	Up until August 1998 all other IT work was performed "in-house" by Employment Services' IT division. From 1 August 1998 ES outsourced its IT work in a partnership agreement with Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The original agreement ran until July 2008 with a value of £370 million. In October 2000 the agreement was revised to reflect major new investment in IT and telephony to improve services for jobless people and employers in the Modernising Employment Service (MES) project. The partnership agreement is on-going and retains the original end date of July 2008 with a revised value of £806.5 million.
	Department of Social Security contracts
	From 1 September 2000 the Department of Social Security outsourced all its IT provision via the award of the ACCORD Strategic Outsourcing Business Allocation. ACCORD is an overarching contract under which future IT services to the Department will be provided by three groups of IT suppliers. The lead supplier group is led by Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The other two supplier groups are headed by British Telecom (BT) and International Computer Ltd. (ICL).
	To date, four specific businesses allocations have been awarded under the ACCORD contract:
	The Strategic Outsourcing Business Allocation (SOBA) conferred lead supplier status on EDS and gave them responsibility for maintenance, development and operation of the Department's existing IT systems, together with a range of related IT services. The contract period is 1 September 2000 to 31 August 2010.
	The Child Support Reforms business allocation was awarded to EDS, to provide new IT systems in support of the Child Support Agency. The contract period is 1 September 2000 to 31 August 2010.
	The Networks and Office Services Provision (NOSP) business allocation was awarded to BT for the provision of networks and related communications services. The contract period is 30 April 2001 to 31 March 2006.
	A business allocation covering Focus 95 Lots B, C and D was awarded to BT for maintenance and support of office IT equipment. This novated contracts previously awarded to other suppliers in 1995. All three lots have a contract end date of 30 November 2001.
	The information requested regarding costs of business allocated under the ACCORD contract is not available as it is commercially confidential.
	Prior to September 2000 the Department was responsible for its own IT provision but also used a large number of private sector contracts. In 1995 the Department undertook a major rationalisation of its IT contracting approach resulting in the Focus 95 contracts under which responsibility for IT support and operations was outsourced.
	A list of IT contracts current at the time of that outsourcing (October 1995) has been placed in the Library. This list gives contractor names and contract periods but it is not possible to give contract values nor is it possible to provide details prior to 1995. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Basic Pension

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many single retirement pensioners receive (a) 100 per cent. of basic rate retirement pension, (b) 90 to 99 per cent. of basic rate retirement pension, (c) 80 to 89 per cent. basic rate retirement pension and (d) less than 80 per cent. of basic rate retirement pension.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Retirement pensioners by proportion of basic state pension received: 30 September 2000
		
			  Thousand  
			  All retirement pensioners 
		
		
			 All percentage rates 10,933.9 
			 100 per cent. 6,745.5 
			 90–99 per cent. 286.4 
			 80–89 per cent. 245.6 
			 Less than 80 per cent. 3,655.5 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Totals may not sum owing to rounding.
	3. Includes retirement pensioners resident in Great Britain and overseas.
	4. Excludes pensioners without entitlement to a basic state pension.
	Source:
	Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample taken from the Pension Strategy Computer System at 30 September 2000.

State Second Pension

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the accrual rate implied by the state second pension in each £1,000 band of income up to £20,000 a year in the SSP in its (a) earnings related and (b) flat rate forms.

Ian McCartney: The information is in the table:
	
		State second pension accrual rates(25)
		
			 Annual earnings (£) Phase (A) (percentage) Phase 2(B) (percentage) 
		
		
			 4,000 1,040 1,040 
			 5,000 212 212 
			 6,000 118 118 
			 7,000 82 82 
			 8,000 63 63 
			 9,000 51 51 
			 10,000 43 43 
			 11,000 38 37 
			 12,000 34 32 
			 13,000 32 29 
			 14,000 29 26 
			 15,000 28 24 
			 16,000 26 22 
			 17,000 25 20 
			 18,000 24 19 
			 19,000 23 17 
			 20,000 22 16 
		
	
	(25) The accrual rates shown are based on a 49-year working life, expressed in current terms. Unlike SERPS, which has an accrual rate of 20 per cent, the accrual rate for state second pension varies depending on income. State second pension concentrates the most help on the lowest paid. For example, a person earning £6,000 a year through their working life would get £59 a week from state second pension, £46 more than they would have received from SERPS.

TREASURY

Devolved Government Referendums

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to public funds was of the referendums on devolved government in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) London.

Andrew Smith: The total cost of the referendum on devolved government in Scotland is estimated at £4.35 million. The total cost of the referendum in Wales was £2.3 million, and in London £1.5 million.

Housing Wardens

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans to extend VAT to services provided by housing managers or wardens; and what estimate he has made of the revenue that will be used.

Paul Boateng: There are no plans to change the VAT treatment of services provided by housing managers or wardens.

Asbestos Compensation

Tony Worthington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the financial services industry is adequately prepared for meeting future claims for compensation relating to the asbestos industry.

Ruth Kelly: As part of its normal supervisory role, the FSA considers all material risks which can have a serious adverse impact upon individual insurance companies. Due to the uncertainty of future asbestos-related claims costs, it monitors developments relating to the insurance of asbestos, paying attention to companies with significant liabilities in this area.

Biodiesel

Alan Beith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the cost per tonne of carbon saved in biodiesel production.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 13 July 2001
	The cost of saving a tonne of carbon from the promotion of biodiesel varies considerably depending on the type of feedstock used for biodiesel production and its additional production cost relative to mineral diesel.
	DTLR estimates that the cost of saving a tonne of carbon from biodiesel could potentially range from about £900 to over £2,300.

Green Ministers

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 13 July 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him by the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 690W.

Drug Seizures

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value was of illegal drug seizures at points of entry to the UK in each of the past five years; and what the observed effect was on the street prices of illegal drugs.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 9 July 2001
	It is not possible to provide data on the total street value of all drug types seized by HM Customs and Excise at points of entry to the UK over the last five years which could be directly compared with the data available on street prices. The most comprehensive available data are for heroin and cocaine. Information relating to seizures for 2000–01 is not yet available.
	The total value of heroin and cocaine seized by HM Customs and Excise in the four financial years from 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2000 is as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			   1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 Heroin £66.9 £156.8 £66.7 £96.7 
			 Cocaine £294.1 £242.1 £279.7 £150.7 
			  
			 Total £361.0 £398.9 £346.4 £247.4 
		
	
	Between 1996 and 2000 the UK average street price for cocaine varied between £65 and £77 per gram, while the average price for heroin varied between £65 and £74. There is no direct correlation between variations in street price and the value of seizures.
	Street prices can vary for a number of reasons. While law enforcement activity can have an impact, factors such as variances in the yield of drug crops, consumption trends, drug purity levels and stockpiling by distributors can also affect the price of drugs on the street.

Manufacturing Growth

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his predictions are for manufacturing growth over the 2001–02 financial year.

Ruth Kelly: The Government publish a forecast for manufacturing output twice a year, at Budget time and in the pre-Budget report. The most recent forecast was published in March 2001 in the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 279), and this forecast will next be updated in the pre-Budget report in the autumn.

Community Investment Tax Credits

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce (a) pilot schemes for community investment tax credits, (b) independent monitoring of the effectiveness of community investment tax credits and (c) internal monitoring of the effectiveness of community investment tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The Government intend to bring forward legislation on community investment tax credits in the Finance Bill 2002. We published a consultation document on the tax credits ("Enterprising Communities: a tax incentive for community investment") in March. The consultation period closed on July 2 and generated a largely positive response. The Government will announce decisions on the outcome of the consultation in due course. There will be robust processes for monitoring the effectiveness of any scheme.

Revenue Losses

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to obtain a more accurate account of the revenue losses outlined in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General published on 9 February.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Customs and Excise Trust Statement for 1999–2000, which has been certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General, provided details of the estimated revenue losses due to excise diversion fraud of £668 million with further losses of £216 million involving goods diverted onto overseas markets where duty would have been due. Notes 9 and 10 to the Trust Statement, which is published with Customs Annual Report 1999–2000 (CM 5064), give further details.
	In his report, the Comptroller and Auditor General also undertook to produce a further report to Parliament on diversion frauds and on the action planned by Customs. He will be reporting to the Public Accounts Committee. The report of the independent investigation conducted by John Roques, commissioned by the Paymaster General and the Chairman of Customs, will be published at the same time as the Comptroller and Auditor General's report is made available to the House.

Roques Report

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Roques report, referred to in section 5.3 of Comptroller and Auditor General's report published on 9 February, will be published.

Dawn Primarolo: The Roques report will be published at the same time as the Comptroller and Auditor General's further report on excise diversion is made available to the House (referred to in section 5.4 of his report published on 9 February).